College dedicates its magnet
Date: Sep 22, 2005
Dedication ceremonies were held on Sept. 16 for the new Ultra High Field, Solid State Magnet Laboratory at the College of William and Mary.
Physics Professor Gina Hoatson, co-director of the lab with Professor Robert Vold of applied science, spoke of the “three-year roller coaster” involved in bringing the lab to reality. She recounted a meeting with Gillian Cell, serving as provost at the time, to make the case for College investment in a new high-field magnet. The Office of Naval Research had agreed to a $1 million award, the National Science Foundation committed to $1.1 million, and Hoatson was in Cell’s office asking for a substantial dollar commitment from William and Mary needed to complete the funding package.
“Provost Cell asked to be excused,” Hoatson said. “I sat there—and it was the longest five minutes of my life.” Cell returned to the office and gave approval to the project.
“Provost Cell bet on the magnet—and on Gina and Robert,” said Susan Aheron Magill ('72), rector of the College, in remarks delivered under a canopy outside Small Hall to a gathering that included members of the Board of Visitors, Commonwealth officeholders, faculty, students and representatives of funding agencies.
“This lab is an exquisite addition to the campus,” President Gene Nichol said, “worthy of Professor Small.” Small, the namesake of Small Hall, was a scientist-mathematician and tutor of Thomas Jefferson.
“This magnet will elevate the research profile of William and Mary,” Nichol continued. “and help fulfill our charge to be both great and public.”
Hoatson spoke of the magnet’s potential to tackle the tough problems of materials science and its value in discerning the molecular properties of disordered materials.
“This magnet is one of only seven in the world with wide bore, which will allow us to do variable temperature experiments,” she said. “We’re going to work now on how to share this unique resource with science and industry.”
Following remarks, the guests filed into Small Hall for a champagne toast and a tour of the NMR facility. Visitors were warned about the risks posed by the high-field area to those with pacemakers and artificial joints.
Dedication ceremonies were held on Sept.16 for the new Ultra High Field, Solid State Magnet Laboratory at the College of William and Mary.
Photo: Physics professor Gina Hoatson uses the stairway of the College’s new 17.6 tesla magnet as a podium to address visitors during dedication of the lab. By Joe McClain.
See more notes
Physics Professor Gina Hoatson, co-director of the lab with Professor Robert Vold of applied science, spoke of the “three-year roller coaster” involved in bringing the lab to reality. She recounted a meeting with Gillian Cell, serving as provost at the time, to make the case for College investment in a new high-field magnet. The Office of Naval Research had agreed to a $1 million award, the National Science Foundation committed to $1.1 million, and Hoatson was in Cell’s office asking for a substantial dollar commitment from William and Mary needed to complete the funding package.
“Provost Cell asked to be excused,” Hoatson said. “I sat there—and it was the longest five minutes of my life.” Cell returned to the office and gave approval to the project.
“Provost Cell bet on the magnet—and on Gina and Robert,” said Susan Aheron Magill ('72), rector of the College, in remarks delivered under a canopy outside Small Hall to a gathering that included members of the Board of Visitors, Commonwealth officeholders, faculty, students and representatives of funding agencies.
“This lab is an exquisite addition to the campus,” President Gene Nichol said, “worthy of Professor Small.” Small, the namesake of Small Hall, was a scientist-mathematician and tutor of Thomas Jefferson.
“This magnet will elevate the research profile of William and Mary,” Nichol continued. “and help fulfill our charge to be both great and public.”
Hoatson spoke of the magnet’s potential to tackle the tough problems of materials science and its value in discerning the molecular properties of disordered materials.
“This magnet is one of only seven in the world with wide bore, which will allow us to do variable temperature experiments,” she said. “We’re going to work now on how to share this unique resource with science and industry.”
Following remarks, the guests filed into Small Hall for a champagne toast and a tour of the NMR facility. Visitors were warned about the risks posed by the high-field area to those with pacemakers and artificial joints.
Dedication ceremonies were held on Sept.16 for the new Ultra High Field, Solid State Magnet Laboratory at the College of William and Mary.
Photo: Physics professor Gina Hoatson uses the stairway of the College’s new 17.6 tesla magnet as a podium to address visitors during dedication of the lab. By Joe McClain.
See more notes
© 2013 The College of William & Mary