About our authors
Dale Ewen has been an author or lead author of 11 physics and mathematics textbooks, most with multiple editions. He taught at the high school level and community college level for 24 years and was Parkland College's academic vice president for 17 years. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was previously the President of AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges) and was a consultant evaluator many times for the National Science Foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys working on family genealogy and doing research for a county's historical society.
Dr. P. Erik Gundersen has been a co-author with Applied Physics since the 8th edition of the text. Erik earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics education from the University of Delaware, a master's degree in educational technology from New Jersey City University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University. He is a career educator, serving as a physics teacher, Supervisor of Science and Technology Education and Director of Curriculum, and currently serving as Superintendent of Schools for the Suffern Central School District in New York State.
Erik is known for developing innovative practices to improve educational opportunities and experiences for the students and staff he and his team serve. On the national stage, Erik serves as an advisor of Final Site's Superintendent Collaborative, served as Advisory Committee Chair for Digital Promise's “League of Innovative Schools” and was an inaugural member of New Jersey's “Innovate NJ” program. These opportunities allowed Erik to represent his district at the White House as President Obama launched the “Connect Ed” Future Ready Pledge and Maker Initiatives. He has presented at many national conferences to promote, educate and showcase highly successful district programs.
Erik and his family live in Allendale, New Jersey, where he enjoys spending time with his wife, two boys and German Shepard.
Neill Schurter, J.D., taught high school physics and vocational classes for many years in Rantoul, Illinois, with practical experience working in various occupational trades. He earned his bachelor's degree in physics from MacMurray College and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Along with Dale Ewen, he has co-authored Technical Physics, now Applied Physics, since its inception in 1971 through all its incarnations and 11 editions.