As the fall semester drew to a close on Friday, December 4, 2009, Dr. Erich W. Vogt, former Director of TRIUMF and Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia (UBC), delivered his final lecture to his last class of Physics 107 students. Vogt first began teaching at UBC for the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 1965 and also served as the Vice President, Faculty of Student Affairs (1975-1981). Four decades later he would still be teaching first year physics students well into his retirement, which began in 1994, with no loss of fervor and an ever-growing enjoyment.
Students and colleagues that have sat in Vogt's classes will remember him for the rapport or "resonance" he establishes in his classroom. He knows how to fill-up a space (never using a microphone, even in large lecture theatres) and reach out to the young new physics recruits, doing his best to learn his students' names and always aiming to excite in them a sense of wonder and curiosity. As a man who views his teaching career as both a privilege and a joy, Vogt has made a positive and lasting impression on many of the over 5,000 students he has taught over the last four decades. Undoubtedly, his teaching has left many students with a renewed interest in pursuing a degree in physics.
Vogt's last lecture was attended by many generations of his previous students who received the famous "Vogt didactic magic" in first year Honours Physics at UBC. Many of Vogt's colleagues were also present, including most of those who taught beside him at some point during the 45 years in which he served the UBC physics community. At the end of the lecture, Vogt was presented with plaque as an expression of the department's deepest appreciation for his 45 years of outstanding teaching of first year physics.
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| Left: Professor Vogt (bottom left) surrounded by his many students, past and present, who came to listen to his last lecture. | Right: Receiving a plaque of appreciation from the Department of Physics and Astronomy for his many years of service and outstanding teaching. |
Although his long teaching career has come to an end, Vogt is continuing his work at TRIUMF. In 1965, Vogt joined the study group which would eventually see the establishment of TRIUMF as a national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, and served as Chair of the TRIUMF Board of Management from 1974 to 1980 and as Director of the laboratory from 1980 to 1993.
TRIUMF congratulates Erich on his tremendous teaching career and thanks him for his untiring support of new generations of students—both those that turn to physics as a career and those that contribute to Canada in other ways.
Click here to view a photo gallery commemorating Erich's years of service to UBC and TRIUMF.
-- Meghan Magee, Communications Assistant