Graham holds a BS in physics, a BS in philosophy, an MS in physics, an MS in Electrical Engineering, an MA in philosophy, and a JD degree. He worked briefly at Sandia National Laboratory and, then, as a patent attorney, before going to work for the federal government. He has taught courses in astronomy, algebra, and analog circuits at the introductory university level.

Graham is the father of five children who playfully groan whenever he brings up religious, political, or philosophical topics at the dinner table. He looks forward to returning to the basics of physics with students at St. Ambrose, and to the challenge of making physics as clear and as enlightening as possible.

If he were to give students some advice, it would be the same he’s given to his own kids: Forget about who is and who isn’t innately intelligent or gifted. Young people tend to focus on supposed innate gifts in part because, as a class, they haven’t lived long enough to possess much more. Instead, figure out what you are determined to do, what you believe in, and, then, work hard at that.