Department of Physics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

excellence in physics

The Department of Physics is at a critical juncture in its history. More than a century of astute planning, wise investment, and careful stewardship have produced a world-class department of physics at the University of Illinois, one of only two public-university physics departments ranked in the top ten in the nation by the National Academy of Sciences.

But that excellence is now imperiled...

In 2004, for the first time in its 137-year history, the University of Illinois received more dollars from student tuition than it did from the State of Illinois. In 1980, more than half of the University's annual budget came from State appropriations. Today that figure is <19 percent.

We face extraordinary needs to provide adequate space for teaching and research, to attract and retain top faculty, and to build the unique new facilities that will allow Illinois to continue to advance the frontiers of the physical sciences in the future as they have done so superbly in the past.

What does it take to remain a world-class physics department? Excellent faculty. What does it take to recruit and retain excellent faculty? Rewarding teaching, state-of-the-art research facilities, competitive salaries, and excellent students—in other words, money.

The Department depends on the loyalty and generosity of our alumni and friends for both the flexible funds and the long-term endowments to invest in the things that make the difference between a good department and a great one.

Your contribution to the Excellence in Physics fund will help provide the following this year:

• Nearly $20,000 in recruiting scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students.
• Nearly $30,000 in support to graduate students.
• Support for our award-winning outreach programs, including the Physics Van.
• New equipment for the upper-level undergraduate physics teaching labs.
• Support of undergraduate hands-on research projects and senior theses.
• Speakers for departmental colloquia and seminars.
• Tangible recognition programs for our award-winning faculty and remarkable students.

To contribute to the Excellence in Physics fund, please click on the "Make a Gift Online" below. Your browser will be redirected to a secure site maintained by the University of Illinois Foundation to process your credit card information. If you'd rather send a check, click on the "Download a Printable Gift Form" to ensure your gift gets to the right fund.

MAKE A GIFT ONLINE