Dr. John Salzer

Award citation

We honor Dr. John Salzer, class of 1980, for his outstanding success as an astronomer and educator.  Dr. Salzer (Ph. D, Astronomy, University of Michigan) became the Chair of the Indiana University Astronomy Department in 2009 after serving as professor and department chair at Wesleyan Universityin Middletown, CT. Before that he completed research positions at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico (1987-1989) and at the National Optical Astronomy Observatories in Tucson, AZ (1989-1991). Among numerous honors was President Clinton naming John a Presidential Faculty Fellow in 1995. John has been a loyal graduate of the Coe physics program in many notable ways including student support, Peterson Hall contributions, and more. We are delighted to recognize John as a model alum of the Coe Physics Department.

Biography

Dr. John Salzer, Chair of the Indiana University Astronomy Department, graduated from the Coe College Physics Department in 1980. After completing an MS degree in physics from Iowa State University, he got a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Michigan. Salzer completed postdoctoral research positions at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and at the National Optical Astronomy Observatories in Tucson, AZ. Salzer has earned numerous honors, including being named by President Clinton as a Presidential Faculty Fellow in 1995. Before his current post, he served as professor and department chair at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. Salzer has been a loyal graduate of the Coe physics program in many notable ways including student support, contributions to Peterson Hall, and more.