Physics professor gained wealth of knowledge, experience at CWU

Anthony Smith rarely misses an opportunity to talk up his alma mater.

Whether encouraging his Green River College students to pursue a four-year degree or meeting with Nobel Prize-winning scientists at academic conferences, Smith always finds a way to sing Central Washington University’s praises.

“I recommend Central to my current students because they can get a great education and lots of one-on-one time with their professors,” said Smith (’06), a CWU physics and chemistry graduate who has taught physics at Green River College since 2020. “It’s a great place to go because you’re not just a number there. And you also get a lot of hands-on experience that will give you a leg up in your career.”

Smith grew up in Yakima and chose CWU, in large part, because his mother Donna Smith ('77), grandfather Don Ide, and great-grandmother Lois Witt are all CWU School of Education alumni. 

“I come from a family of teachers, and I always knew I wanted to be an educator,” he said. “Once I got to grad school, I enjoyed teaching labs more than doing the research. That’s when I really figured out that teaching was my true passion.”

Smith returned to Central as an instructor for three years after earning his PhD from Washington State University. Coming back to campus as a faculty member allowed him to experience the institution from an entirely different perspective.

“It was pretty cool to come back and teach alongside my former professors like Bruce Palmquist, Michael Braunstein, Andy Piacsek, and Sharon Rosell,” he said. “Sharon is the one who convinced me to go into physics, and I will always appreciate everything she and my other professors did for me.”

Taken together, Smith’s experiences at CWU as a student and educator gave him an enormous sense of pride in the institution that helped launch his career. He explained that the physics teaching methods at Green River College are very similar to how physics is taught at CWU, helping him feel very much at home.

About a year ago, Smith was given a new opportunity to share his appreciation for CWU when Transfer Outreach and Onboarding Counselor Renata Cummings presented him with a CWU T-shirt and history book. The black shirt eventually became Smith’s calling card when he would meet other scientists.

Last September, Smith snapped a picture with 2017 Nobel Prize-winning scientist Barry Barish while wearing the shirt. That got him thinking: “Wouldn’t it be neat if I wore the same shirt every time I met with a big-name scientist?”  

The opportunity came later at a Society of Physics Students conference, where Smith met with physicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell (who was controversially omitted from the 1974 Nobel Prize in Physics) and 2001 Nobel Prize winner Eric Cornell — all while wearing his CWU attire.

“A couple of students who were with me at the conference definitely noticed the pattern,” Smith said, adding that he also has a picture of himself wearing the shirt alongside Dr. Steven Novella, the host of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe podcast.

With four notable photos already in the queue, Smith plans to continue sporting the shirt Cummings gifted him whenever the opportunity arises.

“It’s kind of fun and it also helps get CWU’s name out there,” he said.

Smith is happy to have found a home at Green River College, doing what he loves. But Ellensburg will always have a special place in his heart.

“Of all the places I’ve lived in Washington, Ellensburg was my favorite,” he said. “Central was the perfect choice for me, and I love coming back and seeing everyone whenever I get the chance.”

And next time Smith visits his friends in the Discovery Hall planetarium, he’ll no doubt be wearing his black CWU T-shirt.