Lawrence Krauss, the chair and Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics at Case Western Reserve University, has become the first physicist in history to receive the highest honors from each of the three major physics organizations.

In his most recent honor, Krauss will receive the 2004 Oersted Medal, recognizing his contributions to the teaching of physics, from the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

The Oersted Medal follows Krauss' 2000 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize from the American Physical Society, given for "a most outstanding contribution to physics," and the 2001 Andrew W. Gemant Award from the American Institute of Physics for connecting science and culture.

While renowned physicists such as Freeman Dyson, Steven Weinberg and Stephen Hawking have received one or two of these honors, Krauss is the first to have been awarded all three.

In receiving the Oersted Medal, established in 1936 by the AAPT, Krauss will join the ranks of past recipients such as Nobel Laureates Edward Purcell (1967), Richard Feynman (1972), I.I. Rabi (1982), Norman Ramsey (1988) and Hans Bethe (1993), as well as prominent scientists like Carl Sagan (1990) and Dyson (1991).

"I am still reeling from the news," said Krauss upon learning about his newest honor through an e-mail message from the AAPT. "This is very special."

As the recipient of the AAPT's most prestigious award, Krauss will receive an inscribed medal, a $5,000 award, a certificate of honor and travel expenses to the AAPT winter meeting in Miami, where he will present a ceremonial lecture.

Since 2000 Krauss also has won two other major science awards. He received the American Association for the Advancement of Science 1999-2000 Award for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology for his book "The Physics of Star Trek" and the American Institute of Physics 2002 Award for Science Writing for his most recent book, "Atom: An Odyssey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth and Beyond."

Krauss is working on a new book, "Hiding In The Mirror," to be published next year.

Return to the online edition of the 10-2-03 Campus News.