Physics professor adds to long list of awards

It's not often that you are rewarded for enjoying what you do.

Able to coordinate research between larger institutions and Oberlin, Professor of Physics Robert Warner has been honored for his supreme integration of Oberlin students into large-scale projects.

A nuclear physicist and professor of physics at Oberlin, Warner has recently been honored by the American Physical Society with an award which includes a $5,000 prize and a plaque. The award is given once a year to a professor of physics for research he or she has done at an undergraduate institution.

Warner's ability to balance this extensive research with his duties as a professor is a commendable achievement. Professor of Physics Joseph Palmieri said, "[Dr. Warner] is very organized and plans carefully, especially his summers and Winter Term."

Warner has conducted experiments at Michigan State University and the Notre Dame Nuclear Structure Laboratory. He brought the data back to Oberlin to be examined with the help of Oberlin students. Warner has a long history of collaborative efforts and has published 100 articles, over 30 of which were co-authored by Oberlin students. These efforts have been funded continuously for the past 30 years by the National Science Foundation.

Palmieri said, "The 1999 Prize is a great honor for Warner and for the College. It signifies Warner's long-time achievements in research, particularly his involvement with students, which is one of Oberlin's greatest strengths."

Warner is on leave this semester but can often be found on campus and in his office in the Physics building continuing his research with the aid of two Oberlin students: college junior Megan McKinnon and college senior Nathan Shaner.

Warner has been a member of the Oberlin faculty since 1965. He has worked closely with students, which has been enriching for both himself and his pupils."I've had a wonderful experience working with students. They have ability and are highly motivated. They have helped me achieve far more than I could on my own," said Warner.

Shaner spent a week with Warner at Michigan State University's National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory this past summer. Shaner said, "It's been a really great experience working with Professor Warner; he's definitely increased my interests in physics. Last year I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after I graduated, but now I'm sure I want to go to graduate school and get a Ph.D. in physics."

Even though he is a highly decorated professor and researcher, Warner remains humble. He insists he had no idea he would be given this award. Warner said, "John Scofield nominated me and I didn't think I had much of a chance. A physicist is what he or she is by nature...you do it because you enjoy it." At the same time, Warner said, "An award like this can't but encourage you and give you a momentary shot of adrenaline."

A native of Ohio, Warner received his bachelor degree at Antioch College and a doctorate at the University of Rochester. He spent two to three years at both of these institutions and then moved to the University of Manitoba before coming to Oberlin. Except for a prestigious visiting professorship at the University of Michigan, Warner has been at Oberlin ever since.