The Department of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis recently welcomed more than 40 alumni and friends back to campus for the Physics Graduate Reunion—a special weekend of reconnection, reflection, and renewed curiosity.
The three-day celebration kicked off on Friday evening with a lively welcome reception, where graduates spanning multiple decades gathered to reconnect with former classmates, faculty, and current students. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and warmth as old memories were revisited and new stories shared over drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
Saturday’s programming was a deep dive into the exciting research and teaching happening in the department today. Attendees enjoyed a full day of talks by faculty members and graduate students, showcasing both foundational work and cutting-edge advancements in the field.
The morning talks included: Welcome & Department Updates with Henric Krawczynski; Neutron stars: Last exit before the black hole with Mark Alford; What does a 100-dimensional orange say about life? with Mikhail Tikhonov; The magical world of moire materials with Shaffique Adam.
The afternoon was filled with more insightful discussions: Analyzing the Classroom: Physics Education Research with Mairin Hynes; Primordial Black Holes and Gravitational Lenses with Aysu Ece Saricaoglu; Advancements in AI and how it impacts physics research with Will Charles; State of the Graduate Program with Alex Seidel. A special highlight of the day was the alumni panel, where former graduates, Matheus Schossler, Matt O'Donnell, Anthony Kovacs, Suzanne Gronemeyer, and Jordan Russell, shared insights about their career paths, challenges, and the ways their WashU experience helped shape their journeys.
That evening, the celebration continued with a special dinner at the Saint Louis Zoo. Guests dined on an excellent meal and explored the stunning Animals Aglow display, an enchanting lantern experience that brought the zoo to life in a whole new way. The evening was filled with joy and conversation, offering a fun and festive atmosphere to continue building connections in a shared celebration of knowledge and friendship.
On Sunday, the weekend concluded with guided lab tours, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at some of the department’s current research spaces. Alumni were impressed to see how the facilities have evolved, and many expressed excitement about the department’s ongoing commitment to innovation and discovery.
Throughout the weekend, one theme stood out: community. Whether reliving graduate school memories, celebrating the accomplishments of peers, or learning about the future of physics at WashU, the reunion reaffirmed everyone of the lasting connections forged in the halls and classrooms of the department. This reunion reminded us that the impact of a physics education is not limited merely to the four walls of Compton and Crow Halls, but it transends across generations and has substatial impacts on the lives of people all over the world. And while we all go from this place after graduation and seek varying careers in academia or industry, the one thing we all share is love of this community and a hope to see it continue to thrive.
We are deeply grateful to all who joined us for this memorable event, and we look forward to welcoming even more alumni at future gatherings.
