George Gollin

George D. Gollin (born May 6, 1953 in New York) is an American physics professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Areas of research and teaching

Gollin has worked on particle physics experiments studying muon scattering (1975–1981, intended to test the ideas of "Quantum Chromodynamics"), neutral K meson decay parameters (1980–1993, measuring things relating to "CP violation" ), and electron-positron annihilation (1993–2005, measuring production and decay properties of heavy quarks). His current research focuses on technical issues associated with the design and construction of the "International Linear Collider", a very large electron-positron colliding beams facility intended to shed light on the origins of the masses of the fundamental particles.

His teaching has spanned the entire physics curriculum, from elementary algebra-based courses for students in the life sciences to classical electrodynamics at the graduate level.

Other public service

The University of Illinois is a public university and "land grant school"; as such, Gollin's responsibilities include faculty public service in addition to his teaching and research obligations. ["q.v." " [http://www.oc.uiuc.edu/engagement/p&tfacultyguide2000.pdf A Faculty Guide for Relating Public Service to the Promotion and Tenure Review Process"] , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign] Since 2003, Gollin has been documenting the practices of diploma mills, businesses that sell meaningless academic degrees without providing education or assessment to/of their customers. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/content/education/chi-diploma-mill-04-aug04,0,2164133.story Bogus diploma ring busted with help from U. of I. professor] , By Russell Working, Chicago Tribune, August 4 2008] In this capacity, he has worked with a number of state and federal agencies, including the State of Washington Office of the Attorney General, the U.S. Dept. of Education, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education. [" [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/25/eveningnews/consumer/main565236.shtml Cracking Down on Diploma Mills] ," CBS News Special Report: Consumer Alert, 25 July 2003.] It was reported in "The Chronicle of Higher Education" that "Alan Contreras, administrator for the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization, called the professor's work 'superb'." [http://chronicle.com/free/2003/10/2003101301t.htm U. of Illinois Administrators Ask Professor to Remove Web Site About Diploma Mills] , by Andrea L. Foster, The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 13 2003] He has, for example, assisted with the federal investigation of the operation of the diploma mill Saint Regis University. [Saint Regis University should not be confused with the legitimate, accredited Regis University of Denver, Colorado.] This investigation resulted in closing down the large operation and the conviction on federal criminal charges of eight individuals who were involved.Phillips, Stephen. [http://www.thes.co.uk/current_edition/story.aspx?story_id=2026348 A stress-free PhD? A snip at $250] , "The Higher Education Supplement" 25 November 2005] [Luck, Melissa. [http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=8610822&nav=menu683_1 Diploma Mill ringleader gets maximum sentence] , "KXLY-TV, Spokane, Washington" 2 July 2008]

In 2006 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for a three year term.

References

External links

* [http://web.hep.uiuc.edu/home/g-gollin/ George Gollin's site]
* [http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/people/Gollin/index.htm George Gollin's profiles page]