FontainebleauVectorManBieniekCurrentPhotoYou have arrived at the personal webpage of   Ronald J. Bieniek.

[My professional-life webpage is still at

http://physics.mst.edu/faculty/bieniek]  

 

I am no longer a Professor of Physics at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where I was founding Director of New Faculty Programs and of the Learning Enhancement Across Disciplines Program (LEAD)

I am now a Professor of Engineering at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

You can reach me by e-mail at bieniek@marshall.edu , by phone at +1 (304) 696-2471, or by mail at:
 
       College of Information Technology and Engineering
       Marshall University, GH 112
       One John Marshall Drive
       Huntington, WV  25755
       USA

Special Links

Ron Bieniek curriculum vitae (CV)

Bieniek’s professional webpage: bio, research, ….

Missouri S&T course Engineering Physics I with Velocity Vector Man

Missouri S&T Learning Enhancement Across Disciplines Program (and informative video)

Missouri S&T New Faculty Programs

Marshall University College of Information Technology and Engineering

 

For a good laugh, you may wish to see Ron’s performance in the Faculty/Staff Talent Show in February 2009 at Missouri S&T.  It was a fund-raiser for the very worthwhile organization Engineers Without Borders (http://www.ewb-usa.org/).   Ron performed as Joliet Jake, the singer in the Blues Brother.  Here is the URL for the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOIRANq3Sjc.  (There is a dead spot in the sound as the curtain opens, but it does come back just before the “music” begins.)  This demonstrates that one need not have talent to be in such a show.

 

Ron was featured in the S&T alumni magazine’s special issue about “Teachers Who Made A Difference” (http://magazine.mst.edu/2009/09/ron_bieniek_professor_of_physi).  It is actually a warming tale of its author, John Johnson, one of Ron’s former students and mentee – who did right well (see http://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/john-asher-johnson).  

Single click on any image below to expand it to full size


Ron and Valri Bieniek ….

 

RonValEngage

 

Ronald Bieniek and Valri Hammonds when they became engaged at Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite Valley on 27 October 2006

 

 

 

BellagioBreakfast

 

Ron and Val enjoying breakfast in Bellagio (Lake Como, Italy) in June 2006

 

 

 

RonValWeddingThumbnail

 

Ron and Val on their wedding day (16 June 2007) at Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, California

 

 

 

RonValExtendedFamilyThumbnail

 

The new extended family

 

 

 

RonValFlorenceThumbnail

 

Ron and Val on their honeymoon in Europe (July 2007)

 

 

 

DoctorValThumbnail

 

 

 

Valri Bieniek receives her Ph.D. in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University (1 March 2008)

 

 

 



Ron’s "kids" (Michelle and Geoff) have grown into fine adults ....

 

MichelleCraigWedding

 

 

Daughter Michelle and Craig Thompson at their wedding (27 Oct 2006) at a campground near Bass Lake, California, with Jimmy and Luke (Ron’s grandsons)

 

 

 

Daughter&GrandkidsThumbnail

 

Current Michelle in Bass Lake, CA, with grandkids Luke, Jimmy, and Noah (March 2008)

 

Geoff & Harrison Ford  Catamaran “driver” Geoff B with Harrison Ford in Honolulu

  Geof&OscarSmall  Current Geoff in Norfolk, VA, after leaving the Navy (April 2008)


The Grandkids


My grandson Lucas Evan Bailey was born 24 August 1998 (a most handsome and intelligent kid).

Michelle (Bieniek) and Jeremy Bailey exchanging vows (29 April 1997)  Luke as a one-year old enjoying a fine dining moment         Michelle (Bieniek) and Jeremy Bailey exchanging vows (29 April 1997)  Luke at 3 years

My grandson James Richardson Bailey was born 20 February 2000 (a most smiling and rambunctious child).

Michelle (Bieniek) and Jeremy Bailey exchanging vows (29 April 1997)  Jimmy enjoying a fine dining moment                              Michelle (Bieniek) and Jeremy Bailey exchanging vows (29 April 1997)  Jimmy at 2 years

Michelle (Bieniek) and Jeremy Bailey exchanging vows (29 April 1997)  The Brothers in 2002

My grandson Noah Ronald Thompson was born on 29 February 2008 (with fine auspices on that year’s Leap-Day)

Ron&NoahRonaldSmall  Grandpa with new grandson Noah

My grand-daughter Sage Carolina was born on 14 August 2010 (my first grandkid of the female gender!)

Ron&SageCarolina Grandpa with grand-daughter Sage

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gif


Retirement conclave for a beloved course

A grand retirement conclave was held March 24-25, 2000, at Harvard University to give honor to and reminisce about the course The Astronomical Perspective and its long-time instructors, Owen Gingerich and David Latham.  This was a bitter-sweet event for the many teaching fellows who were privileged to have been associated with the course over the years.  It will be remembered in mind and heart.

Owen Gingerich and Dave Latham  Owen Gingerich and Dave Latham

Dave Latham presenting the celebratory birthday cake at the Science Center  Dave Latham presenting (or blessing?) the celebratory "open book" cake at the Science Center

Legendary associates of Nat Sci 9 (Larry Liebovitch, Ron Bieniek, Bill DeCampli, Owen Gingerich, Bruce Carney, David Jhirad)  Legendary associates of Nat Sci 9 (Larry Liebovitch, Ron Bieniek, Bill DeCampli, Owen Gingerich, Bruce Carney, David Jhirad)

OG exiting on rocket chair with appropriately-placed outgassing  Owen G exiting on rocket chair with appropriately-placed outgassing

Dave L relaxing after successful conclusion of the conclave  David L relaxing after successful conclusion of the conclave

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceout.gif


Ron’s remarkable thesis supervisor, Alex Dalgarno

dalgarno originalRon was fortunate to have Alex Dalgarno as his doctoral degree supervisor.  A world renowned atomic and molecular theorist, Dalgarno had recently taken on the job as Chair of Harvard’s Department of Astronomy – but still took on this graduate student who had just transferred from M.I.T.  Ron still marvels at Alex’s ability to pull the spot-on reference or paper out of his memory to help with a nettlesome problem at hand.  It was great to see him still at work when we visited him in his office at the Center for Astrophysics in 2010.