EMU scores $600K NSF grant for physics scholarships

Wednesday, July 14, 2010 | Source: Concentrate

Eastern Michigan University has received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to promote education and research at its physics department. Yes, you heard that correctly. EMU grabbed this brass ring, not that other school to the west.

"Eastern doesn't have the reputation as a research university," says James Carroll, head of the physics & astronomy department at Eastern Michigan University. "However, we have this research component tucked away here." He adds that EMU is one of the top producers among the masters-granting institutions of undergraduate students with physics degrees in the U.S.

This grant will help generate even more by creating the Physics Scholars Program. EMU produces 7-9 physics graduates annually. This grant will bump those numbers to 14 per year by giving up to $10,000 to about 7-10 students.

Applicants must be academically talented students (i.e. eligible for an EMU Education First or Presidential scholarship), U.S. citizens, and interested in majoring in physics. They have to maintain a 3.0 GPA and have financial need greater than $2,500. Students must also obtain a letter of recommendation from a high school physics or math teacher.

Source: James Carroll, head of the physics & astronomy department at Eastern Michigan University
Writer: Jon Zemke