Bruce Janousek

After graduating from Central College I headed west to California and never came back. Four years at Stanford University to get my PhD in Chemistry and then got married, moved to Los Angeles, and started my career. My wife, Korby Siamis, has had a very successful career as a TV writer/producer, including 2 Emmy Awards for “Murphy Brown”. Our two children, Wylie and Kasey, recently both graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, and have started their careers in Los Angeles and San Jose, California, respectively. I have always sought ways to balance work, life, and family, including being a stay-at-home dad for a couple of years when Korby was writing for “Murphy Brown”. I have been blessed to have the resources required to help get the David Crichton Memorial Teaching Award funded at Central. Dr. Crichton was a remarkable professor, and the award is given annually to a very deserving Central professor. This has been a great way for me to stay connected with Central and watch talented faculty follow in Dr. Crichton’s footsteps.

I have worked as a scientist most of my career at The Aerospace Corporation, which is a non-profit think tank supporting national security space projects – yes, this makes me a rocket scientist. I became interested and passionate about science education, and this path led me back to the classroom, first as a 4th grade science teacher and then a professor at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, where my students are aspiring science teachers.