Our own Derek Sikorski has been elected to Phi Beta Kappa (ΦBK) this semester. ΦBK is the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the country and only a very select number of students at member institutions are elected annually.
Currently a Senior with the Astronomy Department, Derek is also the President of the Astronomy club which meets on alternate Mondays at 6-7 PM in Swain West 130. Derek also helps with hosting Kirkwood Solar Open Houses on the 1st Saturday of each month, giving the public a chance to safely view the closest star to our planet through Kirkwood's Solar Telescope. This past summer, he also participated in the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates at Kansas University where his research was focused on Cold Quasars, Quasars with high star formation under the direction of Professor Allison Kirkpatrick.
Derek is a active participant in all the activities of the IU Astronomy department and most days can be found in the Delaney Undergraduate Astronomy Lab working with other students on their research and of course, homework.
Astronomy's faculty and staff offer our heartfelt congratulations to Derek on this wonderful achievement.
To learn more about the history and activities of Kirkwood Observatory, please visit our webpage at Kirkwood Observatory.
For information about the IU Astronomy Club, please see the Astronomy Club section on our Student Experience webpage,
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