'U' hopes

By Jodie Kaufman

Daily Staff Reporter

Now that Prof. emeritus Martinus Veltman has been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics, many University faculty expect they will see increased prestige and recognition in the future.

"There are few people who have won Nobel Prizes at the institutions where they have done their work. It is quite common for people to move around a lot," physics Prof. Myron Campbell said yesterday.

Two notable University physics professors received Nobel Prizes in physics but bestowed their honors on the universities at which they completed the Prize-winning research.

Former University professors Martin Pearl and Lou Glaser both won Prizes during the 1960s but were at California institutions when recognized for their work.

AP PHOTO Physics Prof. emeritus Martinus Veltman, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics Monday, celebrates at his home in the Netherlands. Veltman is the first University professor emeritus to win the award.

Society of Physics Students President Conrad DeWitte, an LSA senior, said "we were just discussing Monday night that we didn't have any Nobel Prize Winners. It is great that we've got somebody recognized with outstanding research."

Faculty members who remember working with Veltman said they expected a Prize for him while he was researching at the University.

"We were hoping he would win while he was here," said physics department Chair Ctirad Uher, "but those plans didn't work."

Because Veltman retired from the University in 1997 he is considered a professor emeritus, but he still is recognized as the first University faculty member to receive a Nobel Prize.

"One has to realize that there is only one Nobel Prize a year, and there are many institutions with first class research facilities. The competition is indeed very keen," Uher said.

"This will help recognize the University as a premier research institution, and the money will come depending on the hard work of existing faculty and their vibrant research," Uher said, referring to donors giving money to the University.

Associate Provost Paul Courant said "this shows that we are the kind of University where people can do the best work in the world; it's been a long time coming."

Some hope the attention brought to the University by such an honor may increase its recognition.

"Part of the representation is the quality of the people who work here. This recognition is testimony to the University so it brings pride," said Vice President for Research Fawwaz Ulaby.

The University community, especially the physics department, looks forward to working with more potential candidates, Uher said. "This will attract better quality and high class professors to positions and impact very positively on our university," he said.

- Daily Staff Reporter Nika Schulte contributed to this report.

10-13-99