It was with great sadness that the College announced the sudden passing of Sara Tooher, a well respected teacher and colleague in the Physics Department at Vanier College. Sara joined the college in 2002 after a career in engineering. She was a coordinator of the Science Access Program and in 2011 took over as the coordinator of the Physics Department. Sara was well known for the warmth and energy with which she encouraged her students to succeed. She will be sorely missed by her colleagues and friends at Vanier College, and by her former and current students. She will be especially missed by her husband Alain and their tiny daughter Isabelle who, heartbreakingly, was born just one week before Sara’s passing.

From Sara Tooher’s teacher page on the Physics website:

There are many legendary inventors, scientists and explorers who have marked history with their inspiring discoveries. I admire their hard work and devotion and I strongly believe that without them, physics would not have the same meaning as it does today. Consequently, I have dedicated my profile to them by combining some of their quotes which personify my beliefs and approaches in physics, philosophy and teaching.

The most remarkable discovery ever made by scientists was science itself. The whole of science is noth
ing more than a refinement of everyday thinking. Study, and in general, the pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all of our lives.

The sun rises. In that short phrase, in a single fact, there is enough information to keep biology, physics, chemistry and philosophy busy for the rest of time. Since in every grain of sand there is a story of the earth.

If you do not ask me what is physics, I know it; when you ask me, I cannot explain it. It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious. The important thing is to not stop questioning. It is always better to ask the questions than to know all of the answers. As long as men are free to ask what they must – free to say what they think – free to think what they will – freedom can never be lost and science can never regress.

Somewhere, there is something incredible waiting to be known. Those who follow the crowd are quickly lost in it. Science teaches us that kites rise the highest against the wind, not with it. So make waves! The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Come forth into the light. Let nature be your teacher. I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.