Interview with Thomas A. Tombrello - Caltech Oral Histories

Tombrello–v
33-37
Financial downturn in Kellogg in early mid-eighties; split between Tombrello and Fowler group;
tensions with Fowler and then-provost R. Vogt over research and funding directions in Kellogg.
Receives NSF funding to inaugurate materials science program within physics; moves research
group to Sloan Annex in 1986-87.
37-40
Growing involvement with oil company Schlumberger: consulting work and service on visiting
committee; accepts two-year (1987-89) assignment as director of company’s troubled
Connecticut-based research lab to restructure lab.
40-45
Creates Caltech Physics 11 class for select undergraduates. Organizes and heads physics staffing
committee, which redirects physics department’s hiring priorities. Recruitment of R. Vogt to
direct LIGO; staffing committee successes and effect on department collegiality. Recruitment of
A. Lange and the story behind his decision to come to Caltech. C. Peck’s selection as PMA
division chair; establishing PMA priorities in late 1980s.
Session 3
46-56
Recollections of “extraordinary” students T. Weaver, S. Koonin, K. Jancaitis, J. Polchinski, W.
Zajc, and R. Lee. Origins of Physics 11 class for uniquely creative freshmen. Describes sample
entrance questions for class; recalls discussion of social inequality question with Nobel laureate
M. Scholes. Successful student approaches to Physics 11 questions. Recollections of student D.
Amodei. Comments on Caltech’s “narrow” social niche and maladaptive “lost boy” syndrome.
Physics 11’s structure and average size. Anecdotes and philosophy of giving and receiving
favors in Caltech context.
56-62
Physics 11 students T. Riley, B. D’Urso, D. Bacon, G. Chadwick. Placement of class students
with Caltech faculty. S. T. Loh as undergraduate and her post–Caltech career. Receives Navas
and Feynman teaching awards. Philosophy of teaching undergraduates.
62-67
Creative genius of R. P. Feynman, F. Zwicky, and C. Koch. Assesses overall quality of Caltech
teaching; compares Caltech and peer universities. Managing academic expectations of Caltech
undergraduates. Career paths of former undergrads D. Osheroff, J. Hall, S. T. Loh. Former USC
athletic director M. Garrett’s perspective on Caltech students. How teaching students is like
training sheep dogs.
http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechOH:OH_Tombrello_T