Faculty Profiles
Scott Grinnell
Title: Associate Professor of Physics
Office Location: CSE 253
Phone:(715) 682-1858
Email: sgrinnell@northland.edu
At Northland Since: 2002
Education
B.S., Cal Poly State University Ph.D., University of Washington-Seattle
Profile
I appreciate the diverse interests and talents of Northland College’s faculty, the environmental mission of the college, its small size, the close relationships formed between faculty and students, and the opportunities afforded by Spring Semester. I am currently researching topics in renewable energy and green building design and working to implement what I have learned into the Northland College curriculum. At Northland College, students receive an education that is integrated with an awareness of the environment and the role humanity has played in shaping the environment. This can give greater relevance to their education and provide a broader world view. Abundant one-on-one interactions with their instructors provide a more personalized education. Field work, travel opportunities, and special expeditions during Spring Semester allow for a richer, more solid understanding of material. Observations of intriguing natural phenomena inspired me to pursue the study of physics and the atmosphere. Unexpected moments during hiking, canoeing, or climbing led me to marvel at the richness of nature and drew me to wonder at the workings of my world. My hobbies include backpacking, canoeing, bicycling, carpentry, ballroom dancing, playing guitar, skiing, and writing science fiction stories.