Physics alumnus Jim Smith, PhD, knows that time is money and that working to put yourself through school chews up a lot of it. Smith is now retired after a career in industry and at Argonne National Laboratory. 

Two years ago, Smith decided that what was important to him was to try to make getting a degree in physics a little easier for students in need and established a scholarship fund. Most of all he considers it a gift to be able to share his good fortune with today's physics students. “It’s a way of staying connected and sharing one of the most important experiences of my life. Today’s students are amazing, energetic, motivated and super-smart.”

Undergraduate Michael Reinhard is grateful for the support and believes that it has opened doors for him. “This scholarship has allowed me to focus more on my studies and look for opportunities, including unpaid internships and research opportunities, instead of only jobs that pay.”

Victoria Niu, another physics major, credits the support from Smith with allowing her to stay on track to complete her degree in four years. “The generous support was a great relief to me. This scholarship allows me to work fewer hours, finish my studies and seek a successful career — something's that's very hard for women in physics.”

Smith hopes others will think about how they too might smooth the way for students. He now lives in Illinois, but visits and talks to physics students as often as he can. 

“Physics is not only the best science education you can have; it’s the best education for teaching you how to think, reason and question. Once you master that, you have all the tools you will ever need firmly embedded in your brain.”