Local students will soon see big improvements in the physics department

HOUGHTON — Michigan Tech looks to improve their physics facilities thanks to a generous gift.

Elizabeth and Richard Henes see great potential in Michigan Tech’s physics department. Five years ago, a Tech professor impressed them by using a mouse trap to demonstrate quantum mechanics.

“There are only certain states, like energy [or] velocity which are allowed for the molecule. A mouse trap has only 2 states. One when the spring is loose and one when it is, how do you call it, set. Mr. Henes said thank you for the lecture and handed us a check for seven hundred thousand dollars,” said Jacek Borysow, a Physics Professor at the University.

This year, the Michigan Tech physics department was surprised with another gift. This time 2 million dollars. The generous gift will be used to establish the Elizabeth and Richard Henes Center for Quantum Phenomena. Located in Fisher Hall, the center will expand what is available to students in the physics department.

“The most important part will be the atmosphere we create to exchange ideas. If we can expand the laboratories, as we intend, then students will have access to more modern equipment. So, definitely there will be changes in the way we teach students,” added Borysow.

Borysow also hopes to bring in visitors, hold workshops and send students to visit other scientific institutions. He says the best way to learn is to talk to each other