As part of a campus-wide explosion in faculty numbers, the physics department at Texas A&M University in College Station aims to launch a topnotch astronomy program.
Overall, the campus is increasing its faculty size by 450, or 25%, by 2008. Physics faculty will swell from 45 to 60, with at least four of the new positions slated for astronomy and cosmology. “This is the nation’s fifth largest university, and our goal is to go from no astronomy program whatsoever to one of the world’s leading programs in observational cosmology and astronomy,” says Texas A&M physicist Roland Allen.
Two alumni are key to realizing the physics department’s astronomy plans. George Mitchell, a real estate magnate and petroleum engineer, has given nearly $7 million to the department. Charles Munnerlyn, a PhD in optical engineering and a pioneer in the development of laser vision correction, has contributed more than $3 million.
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