· Congratulations to Professor Nicholas Chant whose proposal earned the Department of Physics an award of 7 new fellowships from the Department of Education's program for Graduate Assistantships in Areas of National Need (GANN), which targets women and minorities.

Proposals were submitted jointly with the Graduate School by more than a dozen departments. Dr. Chant's Physics proposal was chosen from a pool of more than a dozen, submitted jointly by the Graduate School and other departments on campus.

These three-year fellowships provide an excellent stipend, full tuition and fees, medical insurance, a $1000 /year travel allowance and, for entering students, a $2000 computer allowance.

The Department awarded these fellowships to Daniel Chapman, Kate Despain, Renee Michelle Goertzen, Kenneth Griggs, Patrick Hughes, Shaela Jones and Tracy Moore.

Former recipients of these fellowships include Wille Merrell and Justin Stambaugh, who are in their third year of the GANN fellowship.

· Congratulations to alumnus and research associate Matthew Hill, who received the 2003 F.L. Scarf Award for his thesis "Transport phenomena of anomalous cosmic rays during the recovery phase of solar cycle 22." Dr. Hill worked under Professor Douglas Hamilton and received his Ph.D. from Maryland Physics in 2001.

· Congratulations to Distinguished University Professor Ellen Williams on her recent selection as recipient of the 2003 MRS David Turnbull Lectureship.The Turnbull Lectureship is awarded to recognize the career of a scientist who has made outstanding contributions to understanding materials phenomena and properties through research, writing, and lecturing. Dr. Williams was elected for her "groundbreaking research on the atomic-scale science of

surfaces and for leadership, writing, teaching, and outreach that conveys her deep understanding of and enthusiasm for materials research."

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