Jordan A. Goodman Professor and Chair Department of Physics

From the Physics Chair

By Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair

Dear Colleagues,

In the last few years, the Department of Physics has made significant progress in the recruitment of both students and faculty through the establishment of scholarship and award programs. For example, the Physics Scholarship and Award Fund, which offers laptop computers to our top freshman recruits, has been very successful in attracting some of the nation's best young physics minds to our program and The George A. Snow Memorial Fund has supported female students active in promoting women in physics. Additionally, the Department's several endowed chairs have allowed us to attract and retain top faculty in a variety of cutting-edge fields of physics, strengthening our research programs and academic curricula.

Now, it's time that we apply that same idea to recruiting another important group – postdoctoral associates. Establishing a fellowship program for these star physicists promises to fortify our research endeavors and encourage fresh discovery, as it would provide funding for the fellow to work with our world-renowned faculty to explore innovative research. This type of mentorship, available in such a variety of cutting-edge research areas, is an extremely attractive offer for any researcher and is sure to attract top-tier young physicists.

Several peer universities and quality government laboratories have instituted similar programs and found them to be extremely successful hot beds of innovative research activity. Setting up this kind of fellowship here at Maryland allows us the opportunity to remain competitive with these peers and to contribute to the growth of the field of physics by fostering original research.

To establish a fellowship program by this design, the Department is depending upon support from alumni and friends like you. To find out more about setting up a fellowship in your (or someone else's) name – or if you would just like to make a contribution toward this effort – please contact me at 301-405-5946 or goodman@icecube.umd.edu . These fellowships for post-docs are an excellent opportunity for you to invest in your alma mater as well as the field of physics. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair