Prof. Jordan A. Goodman, Chair, Physics Department

By Jordan A. Goodman,
Physics Chair

Dear Colleagues,

As most of you know, four years ago, we set a goal for ourselves - to become one of the top ten Physics Departments in the nation. I am very pleased with the progress that we have made so far.

We've added young talent and international leaders to our faculty, strengthened our undergraduate and graduate curriculums and formed valuable collaborations with peer institutions, government agencies and private industry.

Of course, we still have work ahead of us. An important thing to focus on is graduate student recruitment and now is the time to do it. Acceptance letters have been sent to top students from across the country and around the world. In the next few months, they will be making that big decision about where to do their graduate study. The Department does several outreach activities for these students, but it takes all of us to recruit the best.

We all know what UM Physics has to offer: high-caliber faculty, cutting-edge laboratories, an impressive breadth of physics programs, the support of a large, diverse research university and an ideal location for research, collaboration, careers and entertainment. We just need to show off these strengths to the nation's most promising young scientists.

To our faculty, as you travel to conferences and seminars this spring, I encourage you to seek out potential graduate students and talk to them about what a graduate education from Maryland Physics can do for them. You are our best ambassadors. Your leadership in your respective fields is well regarded by so many, especially aspiring young physicists.

In addition to drawing quality students into the Department, this type of grass roots outreach also provides you with the opportunity to attract talented graduate assistants to your research groups. And the more graduate students that are funded by your respective research groups, the more graduate students we can accept. If you find an applicant whom you feel is a must-have, I will back up your recommendation by providing domestic airfare and hotel accommodations for the student to visit our campus and our department.

To our alumni and friends, I also ask you to look around you for prospective graduate students. Whether you are in academia, government research or private industry, your work and your opinion are valued by young physicists. If you meet someone whom you feel will be an exceptional asset to our department, I will extend the same offer of a free campus visit for that student. I also hope that you will consider donating funds for fellowships so that we can support more outstanding young scientists

The recruitment of high-caliber graduate students is a necessary step in getting UM Physics into the top ten. This time of year, when students are making their decisions about graduate school, outreach is crucial. One-on-one communication with our prestigious faculty and alumni provides students with valuable insight about the University and the physics programs, lends credibility to the University and the Department and offers a personal touch that brochures and welcome letters cannot achieve. I thank our faculty, alumni and friends in advance for your support of these outreach efforts.

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Goodman
Chair, Physics Department