This year’s Cosmic Crust Pizza Party brought together undergraduates from across the university for an afternoon of good food, community, and exploration of the possibilities of astrophysics and space sciences. Held each semester with a different focus, this event serves as a fun entry point for students exploring the physics major. The event featured a showcase of research posters presented by current physics graduate students. Undergrads had the chance to talk with them directly about their work – an exciting opportunity to see what a future in physics research can look like through the experiences of peers just a few years ahead of them. This fall, cosmic curiosity took center stage – and so did some of the department’s most dedicated and high-achieving students. 

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Robert N. Varney Prize, awarded annually to outstanding students in Introductory Physics. Established in honor of Professor Robert N. Varney, who taught in the department from 1938 to 1964, the prize recognizes students who demonstrated exceptional mastery of course material and a genuine passion for understanding how the physical world works. Nominees are recommended by their instructors, and winners are selected by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. 

2024-2025 Varney Prize Winners

Ashley Haar
Nominated by Mikhail Tikhonov and Gus Medeiros
Ashley distinguished herself through her proactive, determined approach to physics. She regularly attended office hours, scheduled one-on-one meetings, and put in extensive time working through practice problems to strengthen her understanding. Her steady, focused effort paid off: by the end of the year, she earned a spot among the top students in a challenging course. Her instructors praised the thoughtfulness and curiosity she brought to every step of the learning process.

Dongting Li
Nominated by Mairin Hynes
Dongting achieved the highest grade in his course with an extraordinary 99.98%. His academic record was near-perfect: flawless homework scores, perfect attendance, and exam results of 96%, 98%, and 100%. He was one of the most active participants during and after class, always ready with precise, well-thought-out questions. Dongting’s enthusiasm for understanding every step of the physics made of lasting impression on his instructor.

Joel Swirnoff
Nominated by Mark Alford and Mairin Hynes
Joel distinguished himself as an exceptionally engaged and inquisitive student throughout both semesters of Introductory Physics. Earning A+ grades, he consistently enriched class discussions – asking thoughtful questions, offering reasoned responses, and diving deeper into conceptual connections that extended well beyond the syllabus. His instructors praised his ability to paraphrase difficult concepts in his own words, demonstrating deep and authentic understanding.

Honorable Mention: Anja Seifert
Nominated by Mikhail Tikhonov
Anja earned recognition for her extraordinary dedication and work ethic. She consistently invested significant time and care into her homework, approaching each assignment with persistence and attention to detail. She also wrote a thoughtful extra-credit essay on the role of AI, demonstrating both reflection and genuine interest in the broader implications of scientific work.

A slice of cheese with a side of community and curiosity!

This semester’s Pizza Party highlighted more than astrophysics and space science – it showcased the strong, supportive community that defines our department. With graduate students sharing their research journeys and undergraduates gaining a clearer picture of what studying physics can lead to, the event underscored the value of learning from one another.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Varney Prize recipients! Their accomplishments reflect how engagement, effort, and curiosity shape success in the field. We look forward to seeing how these students continue to contribute to the department and to the broader scientific community.