Skip to Content
  • Browse
  • Past Issues
  • Search

Arts and Letters

Wagner History

Wagner News

Inside Sports

Alumni Stories

Obituaries

Alumni Events

From the President

Feature Stories
Winter 2018–19
Summer 2018
Fall 2017
Summer 2017
Fall 2016
Winter 2015-16
Summer 2015
Fall 2014
Winter 2013-14
Summer 2013
Fall 2012
Summer 2012
Fall 2011
Summer 2011
Fall 2010
Summer 2010
Fall 2009
Summer 2009
Fall 2008
Summer 2008

Carolyn Ceder Root ’77: The Ultimate Trouble Shooter

SHARE
PRINT
BACK TO TOP
Carolyn Ceder Root ’77: The Ultimate Trouble Shooter
Pia Wilson ’93: Wielding Words
The Great Wagner Way

crCLAIM TO FAME: A consultant to the U.S. Navy, Carolyn Ceder Root ’77 has worked in anti-submarine warfare for 30 years and is an expert in underwater acoustic simulation. “I’m the ultimate trouble shooter,” she says. “Through simulations, I create the environments and conditions that our war fighters will have to successfully navigate in real-time situations. My work prepares them to be battle ready and successful.”

THE ACCIDENTAL ENGINEER: Root calls her educational journey, which took her down some unusual paths for a woman, a “random walk,” at least initially. She enjoyed Professor Otto Raths’ Physics 101, so she stuck with it and became a physics major. “When I was in my senior year, Dr. Raths asked me where my recommendations were. I asked him, ‘What recommendations?’ He replied, ‘The ones for graduate school.’ I told him that I didn’t have the money to go. He told me they would pay my way — tuition, room, board, and salary. That was how I ventured off into the world of graduate education.” She completed a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering (fluid dynamics) at Catholic University in 1991.

IF IT AIN’T BROKE: A new submarine combat system uses control screen formats Root developed in the 1980s. “It was nice to think that in 20 years they hadn’t found a better way to do it.”

WHAT SHE IS WILLING TO LOSE SLEEP FOR: “I lived in Harborview 1201 as a freshman. It was a long wait for the elevators for 10 a.m. classes, so I got into the routine of going to breakfast to avoid the rush. It was the best meal served at the cafeteria all day — they did eggs on a short-order basis and the bacon was always done just right.”

HER BEST INVESTMENT: “I believe that getting an education is one of the positive selfish things you can do for yourself. It’s something that no one can take away. The value of your education doesn’t evaporate in a bad market. It’s not lost in a divorce. And it says something about being able to stay focused and make a commitment.”

 

Summer 2009

  • Alumni Stories
  • science
SHARE
PRINT

Related Stories

image description

Farewell, Seahawks!

Feb 14, 2020 After 13 years as Wagner Magazine editor, the time has come to say farewell to you.
image description

A Term Paper for the Ages

Jul 12, 2019 How the biology department got its evolution mural.
image description

‘Involved and Supportive’

Jun 27, 2019 Jan Martin brings valuable expertise to the new presidential team.
CLASS NOTES
OBITUARIES
CONTACT US

LATEST NEWS

image description

Almost a Century

Four faculty retirees collectively put in 99 years of dedicated teaching.

image description

A Term Paper for the Ages

How the biology department got its evolution mural.

image description

Connor Gibbs ’17: Composer

The high school chorus teacher creates new music for all kinds of instruments.

image description

What’s Inside: The Nursing Resource Center

Students get realistic hands-on experience in the Hi Fidelity Simulation Lab.

  • About the Magazine
  • Give to Wagner
  • Wagner Newsroom
  • Wagner Home
FOLLOW US

© 2021 All Rights Reserved