Posted on Feb 29, 2008

The second Union Notables exhibit opens Monday, March 3 in Schaffer Library Atrium, with the spotlight on laser pioneer Gordon Gould ’41, anthropologist Lewis Henry Morgan, Class of 1840, and screenwriter and director Phil A. Robinson ’71. The installation will remain up through Aug. 31.

Gordon Gould ’41, physicist, was perhaps best known for inventing and coining the term “Laser,” and for his 30-year struggle for patent rights on optical pumping, an essential component of many lasers and the subject of his doctoral dissertation at Columb

Gould, a physicist, invented and coined the term laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation). He fought a three-decade battle to secure patent rights for the invention he began in 1957 as a graduate student at Columbia University. In 1991, he was elected to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He died in 2005 at the age of 85.

Born in Aurora, N.Y. in 1818, ethnologist Lewis Henry Morgan was one of the first American scientific theorists in the field of anthropology. Returning to Aurora after graduation, he became interested in Native Americans, in particular the culture of the

Born in Aurora, N.Y. in 1818, ethnologist Lewis Henry Morgan was one of the first American scientific theorists in the field of anthropology. Returning to his hometown after graduation, he became interested in Native Americans, in particular the culture of the Iroquois nations and nearby Seneca tribes. He served in both Houses of the New York State Legislature from 1861 to 1869, where he advocated for legislation favorable to Native American tribes. He died in Rochester in 1881.

Phil Robinson

Robinson, who majored in Political Science, launched his career with his senior project, a documentary on the New Deal Coalition. Since then, he has produced award-winning works in numerous genres. He wrote and/or directed “Field of Dreams,” “Sum of All Fears” and “Sneakers” and co-directed the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning first segment of HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”

Union Notables features a new trio of prominent alumni and faculty every six months. At the end of each exhibit, the displays are given permanent homes in classrooms, department offices and other campus spaces.

Coming up later this year (Sept. 1 through March 1, 2009): Sue Goldie ’84, public health researcher; John Bigelow, Class of 1835, who created the New York City public library system; and Professor Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923), who was widely regarded as the leading electrical engineer in the United States.

For more information, go to: www.union.edu/Notables.