Scholar Profiles
14 Oct Alumni Recognition Award Winner: Cindy Gay
Boettcher Scholar Year: 1978 Hometown: Steamboat Springs College(s), Degree(s): University of Colorado Boulder, Bachelors Degree, Environmental Conservation; University of Colorado Boulder, Masters, Biology Cindy Gay is a 2022 recipient of the Boettcher Foundation’s Alumni Recognition Award. Boettcher’s Alumni Recognition Awards program aims to celebrate Boettcher Scholar Alumni who embody the Foundation’s ethos of service, leadership, and giving back to others. The Foundation gives the Outstanding Alumni Award to two individuals each year. Cindy's leadership in advancing post-secondary science education, promoting teacher professional development, and her commitment to embedding equity and inclusion into the pedagogy and lesson plans she has developed for others has so clearly demonstrated Boettcher’s commitment to giving back, community leadership, and service. Cindy Gay received the Boettcher Scholarship in 1978 and earned a B.S. cum laude in Biology and Environmental Conservation and Conservation Ecology from the University of Colorado, with a concentration in arctic and alpine vegetation ecology. Her M.A. in Biology, from the University of Colorado at Boulder, focused on photosynthetic measurements of C3 and C4 plants. Cindy served for 34 years as a National Board-certified science faculty member with several Colorado middle and high schools, most recently at Steamboat Springs High School where she taught AP Biology, General Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Biology for Emerging Multilingual Learners. She also served as an adjunct biology professor at Colorado Mountain College. Throughout her teaching career, Cindy has consulted with educational and professional organizations including, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Center for Biomolecular Modeling, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Genetics Science Learning Center and the College Board. She has also served in leadership roles for the National Association of Biology Teachers, the National Science Teachers Association and their state affiliates. Cindy is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Cindy joined BSCS in July 2016. As a Senior Science Educator, she works in the areas of leadership development and teacher professional development, helping to design and lead projects that help teachers enhance their pedagogy and science content. Cindy is currently PI for a NOAA grant, developing a middle school unit that explores the intersection of traditional and scientific ways of knowing in the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds. She is leading the design and implementation of professional development for the new high school biology textbook, BSCS Biology: Understanding for Life. She lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where she enjoys hiking, skiing, and biking. She’s happiest spending time with her husband, children Jeffrey and Jamie (2009 Boettcher Scholar), son-in-law Jonathan, and grandson Peter. How has being a Boettcher Scholar played into what you have done, where you are now, and what you hope to accomplish in the future? Being a Boettcher Scholar helped me learn about learning - and understand the difference between being a student and a Scholar. It introduced me to a network on incredible mentors and ignited my passion for education. I have worked in education for the past 40 years, primarily as a HS Biology teacher. Tell us about your current work and how long you’ve been doing it. What is your favorite aspect of your current occupation? In 2016 I left the classroom and joined BSCS Science Learning to leave a larger footprint in science education. As a Senior Science Educator, I design and lead professional learning for teachers and education leaders and design instructional materials. I recently co-lead the development of a new HS Biology textbook. My greatest joy is helping teachers transform their teaching practice knowing that they will impact hundreds of their students. What does community service, leadership, and giving back to others mean for you? What is your advice on how folks can get more involved in their own communities? These are the most important activities one can do in their lifetime. It is through service and leadership (and often leadership without a title or position) that one learns, grows, and makes connections. Getting involved in your community can be as simple as listening to neighbors, reading local publications, and asking questions. There is always work to be done and needs unmet. What’s the best advice you’ve received and what advice do you have for Boettcher Scholars who will graduate this year? Stay involved with the Boettcher Foundation and other powerful and forward thinking organizations that you've interacted with! These organizations are doing great work with incredible people - so many connections and opportunities to learn! Network and meet people, learn about them and their interests and passions!... 14 Oct Alumni Recognition Award Winner: Justin Kidd
Boettcher Scholar Year: 1998 Hometown: Pueblo College(s), Degree(s): University of Denver (1998 - 2002) International Studies/Spanish; Carnegie Mellon University (2004 - 2006) Masters, Public Management; University of California-Berkeley (2006 - 2009) Juris Doctor (JD), Law. Justin Kidd is a 2022 recipient of the Boettcher Foundation’s Alumni Recognition Award. Boettcher’s Alumni Recognition Awards program aims to celebrate Boettcher Scholar Alumni who embody the Foundation’s ethos of service, leadership, and giving back to others. The Foundation gives the Outstanding Alumni Award to two individuals each year. Justin's leadership in ensuring equitable access to justice, and mentoring a new generation of talented, service-oriented individuals has gone above and beyond in demonstrating Boettcher’s commitment to giving back community leadership, and service. Justin used the Boettcher Scholarship to attend the University of Denver, where he majored in Spanish language and International Studies, with minors in French language and leadership. While in undergrad, Justin studied or interned in France, Spain, Bosnia, and Washington DC. On graduation, Justin moved to Pittsburgh, where he completed a Coro Fellowship in Civic Leadership, and then a Netzer Fellowship for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, working on health workforce Issues. While working on his fellowship, Justin went to night school at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a Masters in Public Management. Following that, Justin attended law school at the University of California, Berkeley. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate career, Justin was honored to be selected as a Boettcher Scholar, a Truman Scholar, a Point Scholar, and a member of the USA Today All-American Academic First Team. After law school, Justin was selected as an Honors Attorney for the Oregon Department of Justice, where he served as an Assistant Attorney General for approximately 12 years. There, he worked as a trial attorney representing the state in cases ranging from small claims to multimillion dollar jury trials and complex class action litigation. In 2021, Governor Kate Brown appointed Justin as the Justice of the Peace (Justice Court Judge) for Marion County, Oregon, where he serves today. In his free time, Justin has served as a foster and adoptive parent. His passion is making life better for foster children, and he works with several Oregon-based organizations to make that happen. He wants you to know he feels very corny writing this all down in a bio like he was an “important person.” How has being a Boettcher Scholar played into what you have done, where you are now, and what you hope to accomplish in the future? Boettcher gave me the freedom to figure out who I was. When I came out of high school, I enrolled in School of Mines because it was the "hardest" school, and I felt compelled to conquer "hard things." I did great there academically, but I was flat-out miserable. Mid-year I admitted to myself I wasn't having fun. In fact, I decided I would rather stick a fork in my eye than spend the next 40 years deciphering differential equations. Also, I figured out I was gay -- a year full of revelations! So I called Katie Kramer who was the scholar representative at the time. Almost in tears, I told her I needed to change schools, and also came out to her, half-expecting the scholarship to defund me for being gay. (The '90s were a different time; a few years earlier, Colorado voters had just passed Amendment 2, which banned local governments from prohibiting anti-gay discrimination). Katie couldn't have been kinder or more supportive. She helped me transfer to DU where I decided I could study Spanish just because I loved it. And now I use Spanish basically every day in court. I love how it helps me make the courtroom accessible and non-scary to people who don't usually feel welcome. I am really thankful that Boettcher gave me freedom and support to figure myself out. What is your advice on how folks can get more involved in their own communities? I used to dread the Boettcher Scholar alumni survey every year. I dreaded it because it would always ask how many hours I'm donating to this and to that. And, well, I never felt like I measured up because Boettcher scholars are AMAZING and basically saving the world. I'm just here going to work, raising my kids, and volunteering a little where I can -- but I gotta be honest, I'm also spending a good number of hours watching "Game of Thrones" and otherwise being unproductive. So I guess my advice -- and I am still working on this -- is not to compare yourself to others. Don't feel guilty going to work and raising your kids and volunteering a little on things that bring you joy. And also it's a good thing to make some time for "GOT." What’s the best advice you’ve received and what advice do you have for Boettcher Scholars who will graduate this year? My advice is that they do not have to do "the next hard thing" simply because they are capable of doing "the next hard thing." A lot of high-achieving people like Boettcher Scholars are accustomed to doing the "next hard thing" simply out of habit, so they get stuck on this conveyor belt of prestigious, difficult (and joyless!) things. And so a lot of high-achieving undergrads feel like they need to go directly to law school or medical school just because it's a difficult and prestigious thing to do -- not because they think the practice will bring them joy. A few years later, and a couple hundred thousand dollars poorer, they discover they'd rather stick a fork in their eye than attend another deposition. (Sound familiar?) Reject the conveyor belt. It's much smarter to take a gap year or two before graduate school. The time and space will help you determine if you really want to enter the profession, or if you're just doing it because it's the next "hard thing."...
19 Jul Alumni Profile: 1996 Scholar Danny McDonnall on Humanitarian Biotech, Opera, and Fueling Motivation with Passion
1996 Boettcher Scholar Danny McDonnall is a bioengineering expert turned opera singer. He was recently interviewed by 1995 Boettcher Scholar Katy Craig. They discuss humanitarian biotechnology, finding passion and mission to fuel motivation, and of course, opera. Watch the video (and get a glimpse of Danny's vocal prowess) here....
26 Apr Scholar Profile: Q&A with 2020 Scholar Quincy Hansen
By Chris Lowell In a world concerned with standards and conformity of behavior, Quincy Hansen argues for a more accommodating and accepting world. Quincy does not fit neatly into one category; he is as curious about the world as he is multi-faceted in his interests and talents. From Thornton, Colorado, Quincy is not only a Boettcher Scholar studying Biology and entomology at Colorado State University, but he is also an autism advocate turned published author and frequent advisor and guest voice on projects aimed at increasing acceptance and participation of people with autism in society. Whether he is helping young adults with autism find their voice in this world, delivering remarks at an autism perspective conference, musing about nuanced evolutionary biology topics, or heading out on a fossil prospecting trip, Quincy is a dynamic young leader who advocates for understanding of life on earth; beings big and small, extinct and extant, neurodiverse and not alike. I recently sat down with Quincy to discuss his journey to this point, some of his current work (including the release of his upcoming book), and where he is headed next. Below are excerpts from our conversation. Navigating the difference between school and academics Can you tell me about your academic journey? Between seventh grade and graduating high school, my narrative about myself switched from: Quincy will not graduate high school, to: class valedictorian. Middle school was not a conducive environment for me to learn. I was struggling academically, mentally, and socially, and we were struggling to access the right accommodations in school. It became so bad towards the end of seventh grade that I did not finish the academic year. My dad knew that regardless of how it appeared in a middle school classroom, I was intelligent. He suggested enrolling me in Front Range Community College (FRCC), which we did. I achieved a 4.0 as an 8th grader in my first semester at FRCC, which was an immense confidence boost for me. It turns out, that I do pretty well in a lecture, rather than unaccommodating classrooms in a typical middle school. In a college class, I can go my own pace, and avoid the cruelty of middle school students; the maturity of fellow college students is much higher. One of the classes I took at FRCC was intro-level biology. I loved the topics, and when I love something I am super enthusiastic about it. College-aged students would ask me for help, which again was a confidence boost. After other unsuccessful attempts at integrating into new middle schools, I finally enrolled in Faith Christian Academy, which turned out to be fantastic. Instead of fights over educational goals and accommodations, they were flexible and they believed in me as a person, and saw me as an actual student. I received the accommodations I needed, I made great friends, I played on the football team, I was the bass player in the jazz band. And I became our class valedictorian. Neurodiversity, writing, and advocacy Can you tell me about your relationship with writing and how being neurodiverse impacts that? It is easier to express myself in writing. I haven't taken any advanced writing courses; I have a grasp of writing mechanics, and I don’t overthink it too much. My internal thought process is very visual. When I think, it’s like watching a movie reel go by in my head; that’s how I process and understand ideas. It is a translational process to take those ideas from my head and use words to paint that imagery onto a blank page. That does make me an unbelievably slow writer, but at the same time it ends up being a true expression. Perhaps people can get bogged down by the words themselves when they are writing and miss the concepts they are writing about. I start with the concepts and try to translate them into words. Writing is freeing, to an extent. I have so much that goes in my head and when I can get it down and have a record of those concepts, that is great. How did your advocacy career get started? It has been a fantastic journey. I found myself answering the same questions about myself over and over again. So I figured, instead of doing that, why don’t I just write them down and send them a link. So, in High School I began writing the blog Speaking of Autism…. People with Autism process sensory information differently, and different behaviors are the product of the distinct way we receive and process that sensory information. The world can interpret these behaviors as needing to be fixed, when they only need to be understood more, accepted, and accommodated. I began to realize that there was this whole advocacy movement surrounding autism and neurodiversity, and I had this great philosophical awakening on the topic. At some point, a well-known autism advocate liked something that I wrote and they shared it on their page, which caused my blog to blow up in 2019. I woke up in the morning and I had hundreds of thousands of views and had emails in my inbox with people wanting to know if I had an email list or a Facebook page. I didn’t, because only a few people were regularly reading before that. I started to meet bloggers whose material I had always read, and I got invited for various speaking engagements at conferences, and things were taking off. Of course, the pandemic came which halted the in-person speaking and advising gigs. But throughout the pandemic, I continued to write. I was eventually contacted by a publishing house that specializes in autism, neurodiversity, and special education to collaboratively develop a proposal for a book, which was eventually greenlit. It took me about 10 months to write, and it will be released in mid-July 2022. Tell me about your book: Shake it Up! How to be young, autistic, and make an impact. Autism advocacy is gaining a lot of ground right now, yet there is not a specific resource for young people who are autistic or neurodiverse on how to sharpen their advocacy skills. So we crafted this first of its kind advocacy guide specifically targeting teens and young adults interested in leading change. It features interviews with young autistic leaders, and discusses issues like stereotypes, self-image, and communication barriers. The overall concept for Shake it Up was developed collaboratively with the publisher and the autism community. It seeks to build readers’ confidence to change the world around them. Despite the stereotype that people with autism live in our own worlds, Autistic people are very deeply connected with the world, and we process sensory and emotional inputs more intensely. There is a tendency for autistic people to accumulate encyclopedias of knowledge. We get very passionate about things that interest us and about injustices of the world. Greta Thunberg is a great case study. I think any reader will be able to get something out of it. I am so happy to have this contribution to the world. Your advocacy career is obviously advancing, but you also have a focus on evolutionary biology in a research and academic setting. So, where are you headed next? Advocacy has been a lot of fun, and it gives me a lot of meaning and purpose. I don’t believe this is my last book either. Trying to make a difference is so empowering, which is why I don’t see myself simply ending my involvement with advocacy. But I am more complex and multifaceted than that. I have other interests, and I am a scientist at heart. I want to study biology and the evolution of life on earth. Evolution is what drives me and gets me going. I want to make that my professional career, I want to have an impact on science and be a researcher. After undergrad, I intend to get my Ph.D. and become a professor. But that doesn’t mean I have to abandon advocacy. In the meantime, the world has gotten comfortable moving events online, so I've been giving presentations, and participating in online panels; hopefully I can start doing more events in-person and get back to where I was two years ago. One passion can support the other. It is a false dichotomy to think these two paths are distinct and separate.... 08 Mar Alumni Blog: Ruthie Lestikow on International Women’s Day
By Ruthie Lestikow In the last eight months I have struggled more with my personal identity than in the previous four decades combined. As International Women’s Day approaches, and in the midst of Women's History Month, I found it fitting to try and put some of these reflections on paper. From a young age I identified myself as an independent person. Growing up in rural Colorado I was taught that it was important to be self-sufficient. My dad was the biggest promotor of this value. Although, I never got the chance to ask him I think his motivations for driving this point home were more for economic reasons than for promoting feminism. Either way, I learned how to change a car tire on my own, change my own oil in my car, weld, drive a split transmission truck, split wood and build the family dog house. With the unwavering support of my mom my self-realization as a self-reliant, strong woman continued to manifest even after I moved away from my beloved rural Colorado hometown. Thanks to this upbringing I vowed to never have to be dependent upon anyone. Having financial independence is of the upmost importance to me personally. Even after receiving the Boettcher Scholarship, I continued to work while going to college so that I could save money. As I got older, I not only gauged my sense of self-worth in how much I was in the black but also in how hard I worked in my profession as a physician assistant. At any social event when asked to tell a little bit about myself my first response included what I did for work. These two main points of financial independence and hard work ethic became even more important to me to continue cultivating after having children. It is important to me to model independence and hard work to both my daughter and son. So here comes the struggle part: My husband and I moved to Medellin, Colombia in South America in July, 2021 to expose our children to a different culture, help them (and me!) learn Spanish and have a family adventure while they are still fairly young and like to hang out with us. I am not able to work as a physician assistant here in Colombia. I therefore am relying financially on my husband who is able to work remotely and on our savings. The two biggest pillars of the structure of my self-worth have crumbled. So, now how do I gauge my self-worth? What kind of role model am I for my daughter and son? What do I say at social events now after, “Hola! Soy Ruth, mucho gusto.”? Time to put my rural Colorado skills back to work and rebuild. Time to redefine my role as a woman in my world. To me this is a huge theme in celebrating International Women’s Day. Redefine history’s definition of a woman. It’s a time to celebrate women's achievements, to influence behavior, to smash stereotypes and continue to challenge bias. So how do I do all this as a stay-at-home mom who is now dependent upon her extremely supportive family? I don’t have the answer. But I have started drafting a blueprint on just how to do this thanks to some wonderful insight from the most influential woman in my life, my mom. She speaks of finding out what makes you truly happy in the world. Once you have this figured out, how do you make it apart of your routine? If financially you need to work, how do you make money doing what you love? The move to Colombia has made me realize that it wasn’t the work that made me happy, that gave me my sense of self-worth. It was more the sense of giving back to my community. Before, I was able to provide medical care to try and improve peoples’ lives in the community of South Denver. Now, I am giving back to the community by helping to raise two happy, generous and internationally minded citizens. I am also working on giving myself some grace when I need to ask for help. Turns out, it can be ok to not be so stubbornly independent. Those who love you can be your best support. The pillars of my structure of self-worth look a little different now, but they are well on their way to supporting a new identity for myself. As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year on March 8th I hope you can find what makes you happy and make it apart of your routine. As an alum, did you know you can donate to the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship Program? If you are inspired to do so, your support can help us create additional academic, intellectual, and leadership opportunities for undergraduate Scholars. Learn more here. ... 15 Dec Alumni Blog: The Best Part of My Day
The Best Part of My Day By José Martinez, 2003 Boettcher Scholar and outgoing Alumni Board member A few weeks ago, my eldest daughter Penelope shared an interesting story with me on the way home from school. She told me that three students in her first grade class got to the chance to eat lunch with their beloved teacher that day. Naturally, I inquired as to why those specific students were chosen and she excitedly replied, ‘because it was their birthday in November, Dad! When a kid has their birthday in that month, they get to eat lunch with the teacher.’ I nodded in approval, but before I could say anything else, Penelope then added to the story. She told me that one of the three students chose not to eat lunch with the teacher… Now, for those that don’t know, there are few things in life that are cooler or more desired (for a first grader, at least) than the opportunity to eat lunch with your teacher. With that idea as cannon, I was immediately intrigued as to why this student would elect to opt out. Penelope explained to me that in their classroom, each student has a table partner that they sit next to. She also explained that two of the kids chosen were table-mates, but the third chosen student didn’t want her table-mate to be left out and alone at lunch, so she chose to eat lunch with them in the cafeteria instead. We only had a few more blocks left to get home at that point, and all I could do was smile and think, “man, kids are awesome.” One of the best parts of parenthood is the opportunity to shape the world in a way that makes it better. Every day, we as a society have the opportunity to teach our children and to help them frame the world. In our own household, my wife and I have made a concerted effort to work with our own young daughters on working hard and being kind. When we read books and watch movies with the girls, we try to highlight characters who show resilience or those who do good for others. When we talk about our daily lives and what we see around us, we often talk about ‘filling other people’s bucket’s’ and trying our best, even when things are hard. What made me so happy to hear Penelope explain the lunch story was that this whole experience was totally logical and not at all surprising in her world; she was just telling me what happened at school because that’s just what we do everyday on the ride home. You see, the reason why my wife and I focus so strongly on kindness and work ethic with our kids is because we believe these are the key tenets of growth and leadership. Our hope is that one day, our girls will grow up and be empowered to do anything and everything they want, but we want them to do it with kindness. We want them to pursue their dreams, but we also want them to make the world a better place. Perhaps ironically, my wife and I found out we were pregnant with Penelope just before I had the pleasure of being invited to be part of the Boettcher Scholar Alumni Board, 7 years ago. Much like Penelope has experienced and learned about these leadership tenets from us, my own experience working for and with the Board has continually taught and reinforced these same beliefs for me. Being a part of the Alumni Board has easily been one of the most fun and rewarding things I have ever done. While the Boettcher brand has always been synonymous with greatness, that’s not really the reason why I was so eager to serve or why the experience has been so incredible. The real draw has actually been the dedication and kindness of everyone involved. Much like my daughter’s first grade class and my own attempt at parenting, we all seek out the good in others and we are eager to support those around us, no matter the cost. Simply put, this group of people is one of the best arguments I can make about why I am optimistic and hopeful for the future. And, for all those on the Board, I want to express how deeply grateful and honored I am to have had the pleasure to serve alongside you. For the reader of this post, however, I want to leave you with just one piece of advice. Comedian Conan O’Brien, in his farewell speech from his show, told his audience, “work hard and be kind; amazing things will happen.” Though from an unconventional source, I truly believe there is magic in this idea. As I approach my own farewell of sorts, I simply want to encourage you to heed this advice. It’s not always easy to do and sometimes it seems like a counterintuitive response to the situation at hand, but I promise you that most of the time it will be exactly what you need. And just like that, I must bid you adieu. As luck would have it, it’s time for me to go pick up Penelope from school and see what other life lessons await.... 15 Dec Profiles in Giving – 2021
Peter Maiurro Chief Communications & Business Affairs Officer and 2001 Boettcher Scholar I donate to the Boettcher Foundation because Boettcher Foundation has supported me and provided me opportunities to enhance the work I am fortunate to do. I believe in the synergy of Boettcher Foundation investing in people and projects that were destined to make a positive impact. That positive impact is amplified by Boettcher and I want to support that amplification for future people and projects. Paying it forward means supporting future generations of people and projects with great potential to make a positive impact. Philanthropy is giving of one’s resources to support meaningful work for goodness in our communities. In addition to giving to Boettcher, my personal giving priorities are arts and culture, education, economic prosperity My favorite thing about being a Boettcher Scholar is the network of scholars and the relationships with Boettcher staff/Trustees. The community of those associated with Boettcher is one of the greatest collection of people I have ever known- smart, kind, fun people who are committed to doing good. The leadership value that I strive to apply daily is character because being a person of strong character is a critical foundation for effective leadership. Courage is a close second… Dr. Larry Allen Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Former Trustee, and 1990 Boettcher Scholar I donate to the Boettcher Foundation because the Boettcher Foundation has been such a positive influence in my life in many ways. Trying to pay it forward is the least I can do. Paying it forward means pass it on to someone else who will benefit. Turn the good fortune that has been created for you into good fortune for others. Philanthropy is generosity, giving without expecting something in return. In addition to giving to Boettcher, my personal giving priorities are President’s Leadership Class at CU Boulder, National Public Radio and Colorado Public Radio, Denver Public Schools, Florence Crittenton, Colorado Open Lands, Planned Parenthood, and the CU Foundation. My favorite thing about being a part of the Boettcher Community is being a part of the Boettcher Community. The leadership value that I strive to apply daily is responsibility because I believe a lot of leadership is done through example and hard work and that nothing should be beneath any of us. Michelle Lucero Trustee I donate to the Boettcher Foundation because I believe in the mission of the Boettcher Foundation. With my heart and soul. I am proudly a Colorado native, "to invest in the promise of Colorado... 23 Nov Alumni Scholar Profile: Q&A with 1965 Scholar Peter Erdman
By Curtis L. Esquibel Laying the groundwork for an eventual manned mission to the moon, the Gemini Space Program launched its second unmanned spacecraft to test heat protection and structural integrity upon launch and re-entry. In other headlines, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a civil rights march in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery. The year was 1965. It was also the year that Peter Erdman received the Boettcher Scholarship as a senior at Fairview High School in Boulder. After opening his scholarship offer letter, Peter told himself that one day he would give back to the program that helped launch his career and pursue his love of science. Earlier this year, Peter donated a major gift to the Foundation in support of the scholarship program. (Visit here to learn about giving to the Boettcher Foundation). “I was the first in my family to go to college,” he said. “The financial support of the Boettcher Foundation gave me that opportunity.” Today, Peter teaches physics in the physical science department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. While he took the fall semester off from teaching, Peter sat down to answer some questions about his career path, life, and philanthropic interests. Share a little about your post-Boettcher Scholar life – family, career path, interests, and inspirations? “I finished at the University of Colorado with an undergraduate degree in physics and continued on to graduate school in physics at the University of Pittsburgh. There I completed a PhD in between making some mountaineering trips to the Himalaya, Andes, Canada, and Alaska. I have been married (41 years now) and have two daughters, who are all grown up. I continued as a research scientist at Pittsburgh, working in Earth upper atmospheric physics and chemistry by designing and building instruments for both laboratory experiments and for flights on sounding rockets and satellites. I moved to the Daytona Beach, FL area upon taking a faculty position at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1998 where I still teach physics. After moving, I soon developed a strong interest in hands-on observational astronomy as a way to increase student interest in science. My first challenge was then to convince anyone that ground-based astronomy could be done from a semi-urban location, so I delved into astro photography as a means of demonstration (a number of my images can be found on "astrobin.com,” search for "erdmanpe"). The images proved convincing enough to raise funding, and so I developed an Astronomy & Astrophysics undergraduate degree program, along with an observatory system right on campus with a 1-meter telescope (I believe the largest university telescope in the southeast) in order to give students access to state of the art instrumentation for their projects. The undergraduate A&A program is now one of the largest in the country.” What made you choose to ‘give back’ to Boettcher through philanthropy? “I always considered my scholarship to essentially be a loan that I should pay back, with interest, when I could feel financially comfortable doing so. The obvious great need of so many people in these times reminded me of that obligation.” When you think about giving and your personal philanthropy, what are your priorities? “Primarily food banks and organizations providing emergency help and disaster relief.” What does being a part of the Boettcher Scholar community mean to you? “It reminds me that I've been helped by others, and it is my obligation to do what I can with my good fortune. I frequently remind myself and family, "do you realize how lucky we are?" As an educator and lifelong learner, what is the message you would share with young Boettcher Scholars today, perhaps those in college or early in their careers? “Remember that there were those you inspired you on your path, and who helped you along it. It is your obligation to society to continue that legacy for those behind you.” As an alum, did you know you can donate to the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship Program? If you are inspired to do so, your support can help us create additional academic, intellectual, and leadership opportunities for undergraduate Scholars. Learn more here. ...