MICHIGAN

UNIVERSITY

STATE

APRIL 30, 2009

Rare isotopes are fleeting bits of matter created

numerous constituencies who understand the

primarily in the super-extreme environment of

importance of the decision and the value of its

stars. They can't be seen or felt. But at Michigan

impact.

State University, the research to produce and

study these short-lived atomic nuclei is making

an enormous impact in the world of science, an

impact that translates to benefits for everyday

lives around the globe.

The proposed $550 million facility will bring

together an international community of top

scientists to advance understanding of rare

nuclear isotopes—helping unlock the mysteries of

nature and the universe and fueling breakthrough

On December 11, 2008, the U.S. Department of

applications for medicine, national security, and

Energy announced that MSU—a world leader in

the environment.

rare isotope research and home to the nation's No.

2–ranked graduate program in nuclear physics—

had been selected to design and establish the

"The opportunities to advance human knowledge

through science and the potential for scientific

iviSU Hillel creates
community

discoveries to improve the human condition are

Reaching out and creating community at Michigan

tremendous," says MSU National Superconducting

State University and beyond always has been the

Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) Director Konrad

primary mission of MSU Hillel—the Lester and

President Lou Anna K. Simon, and that sentiment

Gelbke, who was tapped to lead FRIB. "This will be

Jewell Morris Hillel Jewish Student Center—one

was echoed far beyond Michigan State by

a transformational facility—not just for MSU but

of the premier Jewish student life programs in

for the best scientific minds around the world."

the country.

FRIB will build on MSU's half-century commitment

Today, students who are part of MSU Hillel continue

to accelerator-based experimental nuclear science.

to reach out in a variety of ways—forming

For years, MSU has operated a user program at

partnerships with their peers to make a difference

the National Science Foundation–funded NSCL, a

to others and to share their cultural heritage while

world-class rare isotope research facility that has

finding commonality.

Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).

"This is a great day for science," responded MSU

MSU's graduate program in nuclear physics is ranked
second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

served 700 researchers from 100 institutions in

more than 30 countries. FRIB is expected to

increase the quality and quantity of research

opportunities for approximately 1,000 university

and laboratory scientists, postdoctoral associates,

and graduate students around the globe.

In addition to regular activities that enrich the MSU

experience for students—from weekly Shabbat

dinners and alternative breaks to Taglit-Birthright

Israel trips and Israeli cultural programming-

MSU Hillel actively partners with Michigan State,

hosting educational programs and events in

The main advantage—and attraction for

cooperation with the university's Jewish Studies

researchers—is FRIB's beating heart, a high-energy

Program, James Madison College, and a number

linear accelerator that will be nothing less than an

of student organizations. Hillel also works with

experimental game changer.

the Office of Admissions to talk about MSU and

Like the existing superconducting cyclotrons at

NSCL, the new accelerator will launch nuclei down

Jewish life with prospective students.

"Jewish life on campus is very vibrant," says Jessica

Katz, an MSU alumna who works as the program

Continued insider.

,:ontinued inside