Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy Robert Clair Nicklin (May 23, 1936-) was born in Gordon, Nebraska, and attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he received a B.S. degree in mathematics in 1958. He pursued graduate studies at San Diego State College, San Diego, California; the University of Delaware, Newark; and Iowa State University Ames. He earned a Ph.D. degree in mathematics from Iowa State in 1967. Nicklin began his teaching career in 1956 as a mathematics instructor at the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City. Then, after working as a mathematician for the United States Navy electronics laboratory in San Diego, he served in the United States Army as a project officer first lieutenant in a ballistic research lab at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. From 1964 to 1966, he was an instructor in physics at Iowa State University and came to Appalachian State University in 1967 as an assistant professor in the Department of Physics. Dr. Nicklin was promoted to associate professor in 1970 and to professor in 1974. He served as department chair from 1974 to 1977. During his academic career, Nicklin was project director for the National Science Foundation CAUSE Grant. Through this fund, Dr. Nicklin conducted successful development workshops for elementary and middle school science teachers. He directed various other education workshops through grants from the United States Department of Energy. He also reviewed proposals submitted to the Department of Energy's Faculty Development Program and the National Science Foundation. Nicklin published studies in a number of journals, including the American Journal of Physics, the Journal of Chemical Physics, The Physics Teacher, Computers in Education, the Journal of College Science Teaching, Microcomputer Journal, and the Journal of Applied Sport Science Research. He also contributed a chapter on Electron Spin Resonance Application to the Study of Minerals and Glasses to the Handbook of Spectroscopy. Nicklin's publications reflect his collaboration with other members of Appalachian State's Department of Physics and Astronomy; members of the Department of Physics at the University of South Carolina, Columbia; and members of Appalachian's Department of Biology and Department of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science. Some of his more recent publications include: • "QuickBASIC with A/D Converters," Micro-Computer Journal, 49-64 (January/February 1997) • "Kinematics of Tailgating," The Physics Teacher, 78-79 (February 1997) • "FlexCam Video Camera - An Evaluation," The Physics Teacher, 564-5 (December 1996) • "Lenz's Law Demonstration for a Large Class," The Physics Teacher, 46-47 (January 1997) Dr. Nicklin's service to Appalachian State included membership on the Research Committee, the Arts and Sciences Council, the General College Advisory Council, and the Department Library Committee. He was professionally affiliated with the American Association of Physics Teachers, the American Physical Society, the American Association of University Professors, and Sigma Xi. Nicklin and his wife, Lori, have two children: Adrienne (January 29, 1966-) and Alison (October 28, 1967-). Dr. Nicklin retired in 1999 and was awarded emeritus status by the Board of Trustees. Sources: Appalachian State University files. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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