Nobel Prize winner celebrates with 'U'

Sporting a blue tie dotted with miniature maize Michigan 'M's, physics Prof. emeritus Martinus Veltman returned to campus yesterday from his home in the Netherlands to celebrate the Nobel Prize for physics he received last week.

On the night when The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences notified recipients of the prestigious international awards, Veltman said he and his wife almost gave up hope because it was nearly midnight and they had not received any news about the prize.

"We thought that there was no chance. My wife went out to sweep, which is something that she does when she's upset. But then a Swedish voice was on the phone. My wife said I had a big grin on my face, and she cried a little," Veltman said.

It turned out that Veltman's phone number was unlisted, and the academy had difficulty getting in touch with him.

DANNY KALICK/Daily Physics Prof. emeritus Martinus Veltman, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics last week, speaks to members of the media in West Hall yesterday.

At a press conference yesterday, Veltman discussed everything from theoretical physics to his favorite sushi restaurant in Ann Arbor. Veltman will be in town until Saturday for various events in his honor across campus.

Veltman received the Nobel Prize for work he began more than 30 years ago with former graduate student Gerardus 't Hooft. This research enabled physicists to predict mathematically sub-atomic particles that make up all the matter in the universe, as well as the forces that hold these particles together.

10-21-99