Dear Physics Community,

We had three Commencement/Celebration events starting ten days ago: Hooding on Thursday, OneMIT and awarding of degrees Friday, and the Celebration for the classes of 2020 and 2021 on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend.  All three reminded me of how far we have come from the dark times of March 2020.  I found the Saturday Celebration tremendously meaningful, especially since over half of our undergraduates returned.

Rafael (aka President Reif) made a few remarks, including, “Our society is like a big, complicated family, in the midst of a terrible argument..” This captured a sense of the times for me and my hope that the Sturm und Drang of these times will resolve before too much longer.  Trying times have fixed in the past, including the (even now) underreported 1918 flu pandemic that pitted masks, and wearers, against non-maks wearers, occasionally violently.

I thank all the staff who showed up for all the events, especially Lindley Winslow and her crew of undergraduates who made the ice cream party in the Pappalardo Room go.

Now we have summer, and I have to wrap up my time as Department Head and clear out my office, 4-304, that has been home for almost nine years.  I hope the next inmate enjoys it as much as I have.

Peter

Physics

• Neutrinos from black holes here

Announcements

• The DEN Dynamic Education Node, is a new amenity for meetings and collaboration, open to everyone.  Slides here
• Texas A&M-Commerce University Teaching Assistantships Available here
• Tuition subsidy increase from Cindy Barnhardt and Glen Shor here
• Congratulations to Kylie Yui Dan and Karna Morey for their Fullbright Fellowships