Message from the Chair Dear Friends of Ohio State Physics, Once again, it is my privilege to share a sample of exciting news being made in the Department of Physics. Our department is on the move, as is our university. We are making targeted investments in select faculty hires, in attracting top students, and in programs and facilities that build on our strengths to expand our reach and competitive edge. In this issue, you will see our commitment to distinction in everything we do–in research, teaching, service, and outreach. The cover story, pages 6-8, gives an inside look at the Higgs discovery. It is testimony to the international nature of our research collaborations and the way milestone discoveries are made through large collaborations. We are very proud of the key roles our faculty and students played in this hunt over many years. We are proud to introduce you to seven impressive new faculty members who we successfully recruited from top institutions around the country. Two joined us last year, four arrived this August, and one arrives in January. On pages 10-13, they talk about what brought them to Ohio State, their research goals, and their passions beyond physics. You will be sure to hear more about them. Our students, both undergraduate and graduate, are a constant source of pride. Each year, they win top national awards, successfully competing with their peers across the country. See the Gold Standard on page 13. Check out our spectacular new PALET labs (inside the front cover). These labs offer an enhanced learning environment for our basic undergraduate courses that encourage a love and appreciation of physics.
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We are honored that we were awarded one of the American Physical Society’s first Bridge Program grants to increase opportunities for talented under-represented minorities to earn PhD’s in physics. Read about the program, now underway, on page 14. We continue to explore ways to make physics accessible to the public and expand awareness of the vibrant career opportunities a degree in physics can open up. This past summer, we hosted private tours for students and parents interested in physics, some as young as eighth grade; and we continue to offer the successful GRASP day camp for middle school girls. We could not offer these opportunities without the dedication of our students, staff, and faculty; and our leading-edge facilities. People make the difference in all phases of our work. Folks with imagination and ingenuity make discoveries that allow us to better understand the world we live in, and make a real difference in the lives of our students and our communities. I hope you enjoy this “snapshot” of the very lively life of physics at Ohio State. To stay up on what is happening, visit physics.osu. edu, or when you are in town, please come by the Physics Research Building. The door is always open. Please let us hear from you. Our alumni are our truest friends and greatest legacy.
Jim Beatty Professor/Chair