There have been numerous IU faculty and scientists that have blazed the trail in advancing diversity in the field of Physics within Indiana University's department and across institutions nationally. As part of an ongoing project, we will share the stories of these "Trailblazers from IUB Physics".
Dr. Halson Vashon Eagleson Jr. (1903 - 1992, Ph.D. 1939) was part of the prominent Eagleson family of Bloomington. He was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Physics at Indiana University and the fifth in the US. Specializing in the physics of acoustics, he went on to be a Professor of Physics at Morehouse College and Howard University. He was a passionate and respected educator and researcher for over 60 years.
After beginning a career in finance, Dr. Michelle Lollie (Ph.D. 2022) discovered her passion for physics. Starting over at age 30, she completed her second bachelor’s degree in physics at Rose-Hulman before enrolling in the APS Bridge Program at Indiana University, where she earned her M.S. degree. She is the first Black woman to earn her Ph.D. in physics from Louisiana State University. “The Bridge program provided that foundation to help me get my footing, whether it was additional academic help or research,” says Dr. Lollie.
Dr. Homer Neal (1942 - 2018, Ph.D. 1966) completed his B.S. in Physics from IU. After finishing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and post-doc at CERN, he returned to IU to serve as a Professor of Physics and later Dean for Research & Graduate Development. He also was on the faculty and in the administration of both Stonybrook and the University of Michigan. He played important roles in several major high-energy experimental collaborations (including DZero and ATLAS). His many service activities included membership on the NSF’s National Science Board, President of the APS, and board memberships for the Smithsonian Institution, Ford Motor Company, and The Richard Lounsbery Foundation (among others). In 2020, IUB Physics created the Homer Neal Diversity Student Support Fund to continue Dr. Neal’s scientific legacy.
Dr. Catherine Olmer (Ph.D. 1976) earned her Ph.D. from Yale, and worked as a postdoc at Lawrence Berkeley Lab and Argonne National Lab. She is a Professor Emeritus of Physics at Indiana University, where she taught since 1979. She co-founded the Wonderlab Museum of Science, Health & Technology, serving as the Executive Director and now Chief Financial Officer. She strives to spark a passion for science and technology in children and teachers alike.
The College of Arts