A society created to recognize the generosity of those friends and alumni who make it possible for the Department to recruit and sustain the very best graduate students with a full fellowship.

George Elbaum with the Whiteman Fellows

The Department’s good friend, George Elbaum (AA ’59) has generously offered to match all new gifts dedicated to graduate support, dollar for dollar. Since 1998, George has supported a number of graduate fellowships in the Physics Department. The Whiteman Fellows, named after George’s mother, Pauline Whiteman, are highly prized by the recipients. With this match, George is encouraging others to follow his example.  A pledge of $60,000 or more entitles you to the benefits of membership in the society of Patrons of Physics Fellows, regardless of the type of gift—endowed, expendable or corporate.

The Department celebrated its fourth annual Patron of Physics Fellows Dinner on April 10, 2009. Over 75 guests gathered for a dinner and reception in the Green Center's Pappalardo Community room. Rebecca Trobel and Sarah Trowbridge, 2008-09 Whiteman Fellows, and John Barrett, a 2008-09 Frank Fellow, were student presenters. They spoke about their research interests and thanked their sponsors and all other donors in the Patrons society for making fellowship support possible. Founding member George Elbaum concluded the evening with remarks on the importance of fellowship support and read inspiring statements by his students. Along with George Elbaum and his wife Mimi Jensen, attending were Patron donors Phyllis Buchsbaum, Hale Bradt, Tom Frank and Curt and Kathy Marble.  

The gift of a graduate fellowship is truly a gift to current and future generations at MIT, and in a broader sense, to the world. Membership begins with a pledge of $60,000, payable over five years. View the list of the Patrons of Physics Fellows.

Please consider joining the society of Patrons of Physics Fellows.

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Erin McGrath
Director of Development
MIT Department of Physics
Bldg. 4-309
617-452-2807
Email: emcgrath@mit.edu