"To the student...I wish to impress the future value of that degree to you in every endeavor, even social services; so do not let discouragement from any source separate you from a physics degree." These are the words of Franklin R. Wintker, Sr., in a message to physics students on the occasion of the grand-opening of new physics facilities in 1994. Mr. Wintker credits his physics degree for a successful career in marketing and management with General Electric. He received his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Arkansas in 1931, the second person to have received that degree. The first physics degree awarded by the University was to Roy Sullivan in 1928.
Mr. Wintker came to the campus almost seventy years ago, and recalls with fondness his years here and appreciates the help he received from Professor Parsons who "tried his best to make a good student out of me," and to Professor Roberds "for his special attention to radiation in the then new field of x-ray." While on campus, he held two jobs, one as twice-a-day announcer for U of A radio station KUOA, and playing lead saxophone in Mitchell's orchestra.
A Cadet Colonel in 1930, he found himself on active duty at Army Medical Center in Washington, DC after graduation. There he taught radiation physics and trained MD's as "quickie radiologists," and then completed his military duty with work on radar at Signal Corps Research Center at Ft. Monmouth, NJ Later he joined General Electric's X-Ray Corporation, now GE Medical Business, for a long and successful career which ended in retirement as District Manager of South Central District in 1971.
Mr. Wintker still keeps up with advances in physics through magazines and frequently writes to us. We appreciate his interest in his Alma Mater and wish him the best.*