February 2007

Dear physics alumnus/alumna

First, let us tell you that the Physics Department is alive and well. Second, we would like to assure you that we are not asking for money! We have decided that it is time to reconnect in an intentional way with those who have graduated from Randolph-Macon College as physicists – we define that as anyone with a major or minor in physics. So, here is our first letter, which we trust will not be our last. We got your address from the alumni office, so if it’s not correct, please let them (and us) know.

The physics department is growing in size and strength. We opened in the fall with a record number of students (54) in the Introductory Physics course, and had to add a third section to accommodate them. From that number, we are anticipating as many as 10 will decide to go on as majors. We will graduate four majors this spring, compared with three last year, and are planning for five the next year. We will brag about our recent alumni in a future letter, but we are proud to say that we are graduating a very diverse and bright group; some have gone on to graduate school in physics or engineering, while others have gone into teaching careers. We have even sent some of our graduates into the medical field or ordained ministry! Overall, the number of physics majors here at R-MC has been rising steadily for almost ten years.

Our current faculty roster includes Prof. William Franz (the interim dean for this year), Prof. Deonna Woolard, myself, and visiting Prof. Timothy Holmstrom (covering Prof. Franz’s classes). Dr. Franz’s interests range from sports physics to magnetic properties of materials; Dr. Woolard is focused primarily on various techniques of non-destructive testing of materials (we expect she will be building a Star Trek “tricorder” in her lab!); I am is the department’s resident astronomer, but also work on questions of science and theology; and, Dr. Holmstrom is a high energy/nuclear physicist who collaborates at Jefferson Laboratory. If you’d like a current look at the department, you can find us on the college web site – http://www.rmc.edu/directory/academics.phys/index.asp. (Or, you can simply point your browser to the College’s main page at http://www.rmc.edu and follow the links to Academic Departments and Physics. Please be patient, parts of the web site are “under construction.”

In addition to reconnecting with you through this as subsequent letters, we would like to display in and around the department a collection of “physics alumni profiles.” These will help our students better envision the kinds of things they can do with a physics degree. Therefore, we are asking you to share with us your stories since graduation. A brief paragraph along with a picture and/or a business card would be nice. You can email me the information, or drop a letter in the mail. (Address and email are listed above.)

Also, we would like you to hold the evening of Tuesday, 2007 May 8 on your calendar. We will be hosting our annual physics banquet for students, alumni, and guests from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. The evening will include inductions into Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honorary, and a keynote address by our own Doug White, class of 1980, and currently a member of the College Board of Trustees. Look for more information on this event in the coming weeks.

We hope to hear from you soon and promise to stay in touch.

Sincerely

Dr. George Spagna