Vanderbilt’s David Ernst, professor of physics and astronomy, has won the Francis G. Slack Award from the Southeast Section of the American Physical Society. The award is given for “excellence in service to physics in the Southeast.”
The Slack Award cites Ernst’s “work toward diversifying physics through his many accomplishments with the National Society of Hispanic Physicists and the National Society of Black Physicists; for his work with the Southeastern Universities Research Association and the American Physical Society; and for his work at building programs at Vanderbilt and Fisk universities.”
Ernst also has been honored with the Nicholson Medal for Human Outreach by the American Physical Society. The medal is awarded annually “to recognize the humanitarian aspect of physics and physicists.”