Trinity Christian College

Thomas R. Roose

Associate Professor of Physics and Science Education

on faculty since 2007

Phone: 708.293.4611
Fax: 708.385.5665
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Education

Alternative Teacher Certification Program, Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois, 2002
Ph.D., Stanford University Stanford, California, 1982
M.S., Stanford University, Stanford, California, 1975
B.S., University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, 1974

Professional and Personal Interests

“Physics isn’t a pharmacy, and there are no simple prescriptions to many of life’s complex problems,” said Associate Professor Tom Roose, a 2007 addition to Trinity’s science department. Roose wants students “to see the universe with an open mind through the lens of God as the Creator, enabling them to see God in places they do not yet envision.”

A lofty goal, but one that seems to be completely attainable, given Roose’s background, experience, and education. The prolific author and scientist counts “one patent, many trade secrets, two books and more than 25 technical publications” to his credit during his 21 years of industry work experience in various environmental, research, and scientific settings. Among his previous employers are the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Gas Research Institute, and ARCO Oil and Gas Company. For six years, he taught several calculus, pre-calculus, geometry, chemistry, and physics courses at Chicago Christian High School in Palos Heights, Illinois. Some of the courses were proposed by Roose, who then developed the curriculum for teaching the new courses.

Roose’s educational credentials are equally stellar, having received degrees from two of the country’s most prestigious universities and maintaining a perfect academic record throughout each degree program. He earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University in California; an M.S. in mechanical engineering from Stanford; and a B.S. degree in the same major from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. He also was awarded an Alternative Teacher Certification from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, with special endorsement from the Illinois Math & Science Academy.

The professor approaches teaching from a decidedly scientific and thoroughly Christian perspective. Roose seeks to model appropriate behavior for his students, helping them to enjoy learning “even when the content area may not be a favorite.” Caring about students, enabling them to become life-long critical thinkers, and helping them learn how to make connections between classroom material and external events encompass his philosophy of education. He blends examples used in teaching to illustrate that “Christian experiences and principles are connected to real-world life experiences.”

His strong sense of calling led him along his journey from research scientist to corporate manager to teacher, each of which gave him the opportunity “to serve others, be a positive influence in people’s lives, and live my faith.” When asked how he came to Trinity, he responded that he felt called to the College “because of its dedication to Christian principles, its commitment to students to prepare them to aid in the restoration of God’s Kingdom, and its excellent academic reputation.”

Outside of the classroom, Roose’s life has included active participation in his church as a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, chair of the administrative council, and choir member, among many roles. Currently, he is serving on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and the Environmental Stewardship Committee.  Roose feels a strong calling to help others less fortunate. While at Chicago Christian High School, this call to mission led him to be their first faculty sponsor and advisor for World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine effort, raising over $75,000 during a five-year period for widows and orphans in AIDS-ravaged Zambia. He also enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, playing tennis, studying the Bible, reading about environmental issues, watching youth sports, and reading science fiction. Roose maintains membership in several professional organizations, including the American Association of Physics Teachers, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Xi, and Phi Kappa Phi. He and his wife, Rosmarie, a neonatal nurse and nurse manager at Hinsdale Hospital, have four children and two grandchildren. The Rooses live in Downers Grove, Illinois, where they attend the First United Methodist Church.

Courses Taught

• Calculus-Based General Physics
• General Physics
• Modern Physics
• Classical Mechanics
• Optics
• Statistics
• Statistics for the Social Sciences
• Teaching Chemistry in Grades 6-12

Professional Society Membership

• American Association of Physics Teachers
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Tau Beta Pi

Papers Published and/or Presented 

T. R. Roose and R. A. Lott, “Technologies for Reducing Greenhouse Gases,” KVGN-GasElec Conference, October 14-15, 1997, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

D. V. Nakles, T. R. Roose, and T. D. Hayes, “Importance of ‘Contaminant Availability in Establishing Risk-Based Environmentally Acceptable Endpoints (EAEs) for Hydrocarbons in Soil,” 1997 American Gas Association Operations Conference, May 19-21, 1997, Nashville, Tennessee.

D. V. Nakles, T. R. Roose, and T. D. Hayes, “Alternative Approaches for the Determination of Environmentally Acceptable Endpoints for Contaminants in Soil,” 1997 SPE/EPA Exploration and Production Environmental Conference, March 3-7,1997, Dallas, Texas.

T. R. Roose and R. M. Cowgill, “Why Natural Gas for CO2 and Climate Control,” Thirteenth Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Sept. 3-7. 1996, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

J. Wurm, J. A. Kinast, T. R. Roose and W. R. Staats, Stirling and Vuilleumier Heat Pumps, McGraw-Hill, 1991, New York, New York.

C. E. French, F. E. Jacob, T. A. Klausing and T. R. Roose, “Residential Reciprocating Natural Gas-Engine Vapor-Compression Heat Pump,” 1989 International Gas Research Conference, November 6-9, 1989, Tokyo, Japan.

R. W. Roose and T. R. Roose, Handbook of Data Sheets for Solution of Mechanical Systems Problems, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1984, New York, New York.

Various publications in the energy, environment and engineering fields.