Join the Patrons of Physics Fellows

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 J. Elbaum (AA '59), his wife Mimi Jensen, with Whiteman Fellows at the Annual Patrons of Physics Fellows Dinner April 10, 2009
George J. Elbaum (AA '59), his wife Mimi Jensen and son Jordan Elbaum with Whiteman Fellows at the Annual Patrons of Physics Fellows Dinner April 9, 2010.

The Department’s good friend, George Elbaum (AA ’59) has generously offered to match all new giftsdedicated 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 $65,000 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 fifth annual Patrons of Physics Fellows Dinner on April 9, 2010.  Over 70 guests gathered for a dinner and reception in the Green Center’s Pappalardo room. Duncan Ralph, a 2009-2010 Whiteman Fellow, Josephine Suh, a 2009-2010 Marble Presidential Fellow, and Ben Jones, a 2009-2010 Frank Fellow were all student presenters.  The students spoke about their passion for physics, research interests, and thanked their donor and all donors of the Patrons Society for making fellowship support possible. This dinner is a great opportunity for the students to get to know the donors that are supporting them. George Elbaum, founding member, concluded the evening with remarks on his own fellowship as a student, and read inspiring statements by his students.  Patron donors and friends who attended were George Elbaum Mimi Jensen, Jordan and Sarah Elbaum, Jim and Sylvia Earl, Jessica Boldt and Ariel Sokol, Tom Frank, Curt Marble, and Howard and Colleen Messing.

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 $65,000, 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
77 Massachusetts Avenue, 4-309
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-452-2807
Email: emcgrath@mit.edu