25 September 2000 - Dennis Johnson ('00)

Greetings from California!! I hope all is going well for the new year at Valpo, I saw a lot of freshmen listed on physics web page!

All is well here in California. I just wanted to let you guys know that I am working as a "Process Control Supervisor" at the cement plant here in Tehachapi (the same place that I've worked at for the past few summers as a laborer). It's an excellent job that is similar to working in a control room at an accelerator... except, there's a lot more chemistry and a little less advanced physics (but just as many engineers running around!!!). It's a supervising position as well, so it's nice to be able to jump into this position after graduation!! There is a lot of responsibility and the pay is excellent.

The entire plant is "automated" from the central control room and there is quite a bit of industrial instrumentation, process engineering, and troubleshooting involved. Production is close to a million tons of cement a year!! I hope to learn more about process control/engineering and am looking for a masters program in the area. The company will pay tuition if I continue, so why not?!?!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic year. I'm sure I will see you sometime this year, both of my sisters are still at Valpo and I'm planning to visit sometime soon!

Take care,

Dennis

[Editor's note: Dennis flew in for the Christmas Concert at Symphony Centerin Chicago in December 2000. He then visited for several days at VU. (DDK)]