Ambassador at home …and statewide

For 10 years he worked in construction, operating his own business for three of those years. That is, until knee surgery left few options other than going back to school. Tom Johnson, scientific instructional technician supervisor for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, landed his dream job through a simple twist of a knee.

After earning degrees in physics and education from Eastern Washington University, Johnson found himself on the job market.

“I saw a job description at WSU that combined both education and physics,” he said. “I thought, ‘gee, that encompasses all I want to do!’ ” Needless to say, he got the job.

Johnson’s primary duties include preparing and assisting with the use of demonstrational materials in physics classes. His work is critical to the success of classes such as physics professor Tom Dickinson’s entry-level courses.

“I rely on him heavily,” Dickinson said. “Tom always responds to these requests with humor, action and a ‘can-do’ attitude.”

Among the demonstrations he has built is a hovercraft large enough for an adult to glide on air. Demonstrations he enjoys performing for visitors include:
• Using the Van de Graff generator to get “charged up” so his hair stands on end.
• Lying between two “beds of nails” topped by a cinder block; he has an assistant shatter the block with a sledge hammer.
• Anything with liquid nitrogen — blowing up balloons, shattering racquet balls, freezing water balloons.

Along with in-class demonstrations, Johnson travels the state wowing audiences with demonstrations at various WSU events, said physics professor Mark Kuzyk.

“His value to WSU in terms of building a large, loyal constituency and presence in the community and in the state is immeasurable,” he said. “Not to mention the value for recruiting the best students and strengthening the pride of our alums!”

“The great variety of tasks, as well as the people, makes my work interesting and fun,” Johnson said.