July 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cassie Carter
Cal Poly College of Science and Mathematics
805-756-5713; crcarter@calpoly.edu
Memorial Scholarship Endowment Honors Cal Poly Physics Professor
SAN LUIS OBISPO – The family of Arthur “Art” Z. Rosen is honoring his memory by establishing an endowed scholarship at Cal Poly. The scholarship will provide support for students in the area of his life-long work and passion – physics. Rosen passed away recently at the age of 89.
“Art had a life full of students, friends and family and was a man of people, causes, ethics and music. His interest in research and learning was inspirational,” said College of Science and Mathematics Dean Phil Bailey.
Rosen was visible to many as he rode his bike to Cal Poly every day, well into his 80s, to work in the physics labs. A physics professor for 40 years, Rosen “retired” in 1993 but continued conducting physics research on a volunteer basis until 2007.
The Arthur Z. Rosen Memorial Scholarship in Physics will be used to provide financial aid for students majoring in physics. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a top student who has demonstrated excellence in the Quantum Physics Lab course or who has demonstrated excellence in their physics coursework at Cal Poly.
According to Physics Department Chair Matt Moelter, Rosen was a leader and his family and friends are now leading with the first endowed scholarship in physics. “Recognizing a student who excels in the quantum lab is a fitting tribute to Art and his enthusiasm for experimental physics,” he said.
Rosen earned his bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in physics at UC Berkeley. He worked at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories from 1942-45, served briefly in the U.S. Navy, and worked as a lecturer at UC Santa Barbara prior to joining Cal Poly in 1953. He was instrumental in developing Cal Poly’s Physics Department, its programs, and new faculty. In 1981 he helped establish the Radio-analytical Facility (RAF) which conducted careful environmental radiation monitoring throughout San Luis Obispo County. He continued this work into retirement, volunteering his time until 2007.
Rosen’s dedication to the field of physics was not limited to Cal Poly. He traveled to China with a delegation of U.S. scientists to explore that country’s university physics programs and facilities and made a similar trip to Cuba. He also joined with an American group to supply books, equipment and materials to improve university teaching capabilities.
Rosen was a major donor to the university, providing annual funding to the RAF and contributing generously to the Center for Science and Mathematics. He was also a loyal contributor and sponsor of the Foundation for the Performing Arts and the Mozart (Mosaic) Festival.
Members of the public wishing to add to the Arthur Z. Rosen Memorial Scholarship can contact Cassie Carter, director of advancement for the College of Science and Mathematics at 805-756-5713 or crcarter@calpoly.edu.
###