Leonard E. Storm, chair and professor of physics, grew up in Windsor, Ill.

He enjoyed high school physics, and did well enough to earn a scholarship to Eastern, he said.

“I like knowing how things work,” Storm said, “and I like the problem solving aspect too.”

Storm earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern, and attended graduate school at the University of Illinois.

He joined Eastern’s faculty in 1971 after two years of teaching high school in Forreston, Ill., located just west of Rockford.

“Everyone in the physics department is very friendly; we all help each other out. It’s a nice environment.”

Storm plans to spend some time on the road after he retires.

“My wife and I like to travel,” Storm said. “We have daughters in Pennsylvania and Florida, so I imagine that we’ll be going to see them.”

In his spare time Storm likes to be outdoors; gardening, landscaping and canoeing are a few of his hobbies. In fact, Storm has paddled down several rivers throughout the Midwest.

He also likes photography.

“I recently took it up,” Storm said. “One of my daughters enjoys photography, so we like to go out together and take pictures.”

Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7943 or at a href=”mailto:dennewsdesk@gmail.com”>DENNewsdesk@gmail.com