Lindquist procures prestigious summer position

The University of Michigan recently selected junior Nathan Lindquist as one of 10 students to spend the summer working and studying in Geneva, Switzerland at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. "CERN is a truly international research center," said Brian Beecken, chair of the physics department. "It is one of the most prestigious places a physicist can go."

Lindquist found out about his selection in mid-February. Beyond acceptance into the University of Michigan program located at CERN, Lindquist was also nominated for the more distinguished student summer lecture series, administered by CERN itself. Everything between the two programs is similar except the official program will contain additional lectures, workshops and seminars. Only 11 students nationally are accepted into this more illustrious program.

"He is an outstanding student who is talented, personable and works hard," Beecken said. CERN is financed by a consortium of 20 European countries and partakes in many areas of high tech research. "It is the most cutting edge center for particle physics in the world," said Physics Professor Richard Peterson. A message from the CERN director said that they seek to "study the constituents of matter and the nature of fundamental forces."

"This will give me a good idea of what big time physics research is about," said Lindquist. "It is a good opportunity to see if this is what I want to do." As part of the program, Lindquist will have all travel, room and board expenses paid. He will also receive a $2500 dollar stipend. The University of Michigan said that they would begin reviewing applicants on Jan. 20. The online application required a transcript, two letters of recommendation, and personal information. Although Lindquist submitted his materials after that date, he was accepted soon after receipt.

There are many curiosities located at CERN including one of the largest and most famous particle accelerators, as well as the world's largest magnet. There are technological derivatives that have application for ordinary people, though. Tim Berners-Lee, a computer scientist there, invented the World Wide Web in 1990.

_{Reprinted with permission from the Clarion, Vol. 76, Num. 10, March 5, 2001, p. 1. Written by Jonathan Fast.}

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