Support Physics & Astronomy
Private Support has always been important in providing the margin of excellence for our students and faculty. In today's challenging economic times, LSU relies even more on our alumni and friends who make a vital investment in the future. Donations to the Department of Physics and Astronomy will be used to enhance our teaching program and facilitate scientific discoveries that shape the future.
Donate Online
- Click the link to Donate Online to the Department of Physics & Astronomy.
- Under the Gift section, select "Click to Choose a Fund."
- Under the Fund Options section, you can scroll down to make a donation to the Physics and Astronomy Development Fund, College of Science, or type in any of the particular Physics & Astronomy accounts below to which your donation should be directed.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to the LSU Department of Physics and Astronomy, please complete this form (in PDF format) and return it with your contribution to:
Jeffery Blackmon, Russell B. Long Professor of Physics, Department ChairDepartment of Physics and Astronomy
Louisiana State University
202 Nicholson Hall - Tower Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4001
Please make checks payable to Louisiana State University.
LSU Foundation
With your support, we can continue to make a profound and lasting contribution to our students, our community and the world. A portion of all gifts is used to defray the costs of administering the funds. All gifts are tax-deductible, as prescribed by law.
Funds & Endowments
The Department of Physics and Astronomy participates in several memorial funds and endowments, which benefit the educational process through the support of quality students, distinguished faculty, and educational/research facilities.
Contributions have been made to the LSU Foundation to establish a fellowship fund in the memory of Boyd Professor Joseph Callaway to assist graduate students majoring in physics or astronomy at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. The recipient of this fellowship must be a full-time graduate student at the University enrolled and in good standing in the Graduate School majoring in physics or astronomy. Contributions to this fund may be made to the LSU Foundation at 3796 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
graduate students majoring in physics or astronomy at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. The recipient of this fellowship must be a full-time graduate student at the University enrolled and in good standing in the Graduate School majoring in physics or astronomy. Contributions to this fund may be made to the LSU Foundation at 3796 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Dr. and Mrs. Max Goodrich established the Distinguished Lectureship Series for the Department of Physics and Astronomy through an initial gift in 1982. The purpose is to bring a distinguished physicist to LSU for a three day period on an annual or biannual schedule. The physicist would talk with faculty and graduate students, give a public lecture, and perhaps a research seminar.
The estate of Louisiana State University Alumnus, Horace C. Hearne, Jr., has provided funds for two endowed Chairs in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
In Commemoration of Horace C. Hearne, Jr.
Institute for Theoretical Physics
The R. Greg Hussey Scholarship in the Department of Physics and Astronomy will be awarded annually to a student who is showing exceptional promise both in the classroom and in research. The fellowship is made possible by a donation from Professor Greg Hussey, member of the Department faculty for 43 years who retired in 2000. He was also Associate Dean of the College of Basic Sciences from 1971 to 2000.
The scholarship consists of a scholarship of $500. The requirements are
- He or she should be a full-time undergraduate student with a GPA of at least 3.0;
- The student should be admitted to the College of Basic Sciences, majoring in the Department of Physics and Astronomy;
- The student should be participating in research under the supervision of a LSU faculty member whose primary academic appointment is in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The recipient of the scholarship will be referred to as a Greg Hussey Undergraduate Scholar in Physics and Astronomy. The scholarship award will be for one year. However, the recipient is eligible to receive the award more than once.
Applications for the Scholarship consist of an official copy of the student's LSU transcript and a nomination letter from the faculty member supervising the student's work.
BREC-LSU-BRAS Highland Road Park Observatory
In 1988, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College entered into a cooperative agreement with the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a private non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Texas. This endeavor provided LSU with a $150,000 endowment fund in exchange for the transfer of the 36" Tinsley telescope and associated equipment to the Houston Museum. LSU would have continued availability of the use of the telescope. This endowment is to be used by the Department of Physics and Astronomy for the acquisition of materials, supplies, services and equipment directly related to the study of Physics and Astronomy.
The Dr. Charles M. Smith Chair of Medical Physics was created in 2006 through the generosity of a gift from LSU alumnus, Dr. Charles M. Smith. Dr. Smith graduated from LSU in 1951 and from the LSU Medical School in New Orleans in 1955. He practiced family medicine for 35 years in Sulphur, Louisiana. Dr. Smith’s passion for quality patient care and his strong desire to make an impact on cancer treatment in Louisiana led him to support the Medical Physics Program.
Dr. Smith’s contribution was matched by funds raised through the 2004 Mary Bird Perkins capital campaign. In 2007, the Smith Chair received additional funding from the Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund. This endowment provides funds annually that are used to support graduate student research, to seed new research directions, and for other Program needs.
In 2007, Professor Kenneth R. Hogstrom was the inaugural recipient of the Smith Chair. The Smith Chair is currently held by Dr. Wayne Newhauser, Professor and Director of the Medical Physics Program.
Established in honor of his outstanding research, scholarship, and mentorship of graduate students, the Kenneth R. Hogstrom Superior Graduate Student Scholarship will support medical physics graduate students participating in clinical research on radiation oncology at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Learn more.