As a CUA student, Paul Lotz, B.S. 1992, spent hours in the classroom mastering the finer points of electromagnetics. After class, he was a regular fixture at a number of campus ministry service projects and events.
These days, you might say that "things are looking up" for this service-minded scientist. This month's spotlight alumnus continues to work in lay ministry in his spare time, and he spends his days as the lead for the software design and development team of the 4.2 m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT) at Lowell Observatory. Paul is responsible for all aspects of the software development process for the DCT, which include eliciting and managing requirements of system and design details, estimating and planning projects, implementing code, reviewing and designing code, testing, issue tracking, and — of course — controlling versions of all types of files. Fortunately, this CUA alum is surrounded by a full team of technicians to assist with the project. “There are pieces I am able to delegate here and there,” Lotz laughed, which means that if things go according to plan, the new telescope will be “on sky by the end of 2010!”
Paul credits the “fine work” of his many CUA professors for preparing him to hold the job he has today, and says that he is tremendously grateful for the education he received at CUA. “My studies in the physics department laid a terrific foundation in science (mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics) and especially in critical thinking as a scientist. Based on those skills, I have been able to build as my engineering career in optics and the control of complex systems has progressed. My linguistic skills from the Greek and Latin curriculum are always in mind when I am communicating requirements or designs, or advocating an approach in a discussion with a colleague — skills that are invaluable for completing a project successfully.”
Paul said that he has a number of fond memories of the time he spent in a CUA classroom. Laughing, he recalled his favorite CUA professor, and noted how “there was nothing quite like enjoying Professor William McCarthy’s humor and gentle guidance.” But Lotz insists that McCarthy wasn’t the only CUA professor to have made a particularly lasting impression. “When I first met with Professor Charles ‘Chick’ Montrose, my physics adviser, he took the time to write out a plan for completing my double major curriculum (physics, Greek and Latin) in four years. I ended up following that plan pretty closely. Dr. Montrose’s openness to the undergraduate students, sense of humor, and unassuming nature — along with his contagious enthusiasm for physics and eagerness to understand people and how they relate to one another — were an inspiration to me and many other physics graduates through the years.”
When he wasn’t hitting the books, Paul was a frequent visitor to a number of campus ministry events, including student Masses, spaghetti dinners, and the famed Back Door gatherings and Fools for Jesus activities at the original House. Paul speaks fondly of his time with the campus ministry crew, noting that “there were more than a few memorable Back Door moments,” ranging from Ed Nowel and Rich Lauer making light of “The Twelve Things at Catholic” to K. P. McLaughlin and Chris Whinney singing “The CUA Blues.”
These days, his love of ministry activities has extended deeply into his post-collegiate life. When he’s not busy working the kinks out of multi-million-dollar technology, Paul spends his free time keeping a much simpler profile. Before relocating to his current research headquarters in Flagstaff, Ariz., he lived with a community of eight Passionist Lay Missioners in the uptown area of Chicago. While sharing an experience of living simply with fellow volunteers, each of the housemates worked at a different agency. During his time as a lay missionary, Paul’s worked closely with social services at the Howard Area Community Center where he delivered furniture to the area’s poor, helped with food distributions and tended the community garden. Paul called the experience “humbling,” and adds that “I learned a good deal about people and poverty in Chicago at the time.”
Currently, Paul is active on the East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop dance scene in Flagstaff. Paul also participates in volleyball. “Last year I became a JustFaith graduate in our parish, where I also participate in the Young Adult Group and other small groups and give occasional talks for an adult education ,” he says.
When asked if he had any advice for current Catholic University students, Lotz replied “Embrace the entire unique CUA experience that is yours. Make good decisions and live for others.”
