Almost a century ago, University physics graduate student Elmer
Imes produced research that would later contribute to the
understanding of quantum physics.

But Imes’ achievement was significant for another reason.
As the nation’s second black graduate student to receive a
doctorate in physics and the first to make a major research
contribution, Imes proved that a black student could produce
pioneering scientific research.

Imes, who found that diatomic molecules exhibit quantum
behavior, was honored at a symposium yesterday sponsored by the
Department of Physics and titled “A Celebration of Pioneering
African Americans in Physics.”

The symposium also honored Willie Hobbs Moore, the
nation’s first black female graduate student to receive a
doctorate in physics, who graduated from the University in
1972.

White House Science Advisor John Marburger delivered the keynote
address at the event. He said that although Imes and Moore were
among the earliest black graduates in physics, he was not surprised
at their scientific aptitude.

“It seems to me that in whatever culture access to
education appears, its people quickly acquire the capacity to
contribute to science,” Marburger said.

Access to high-quality education, he said, was crucial to the
success of Imes and Moore. He said that the importance Imes’
parents placed on education uniquely poised him to succeed in
physics. “The unusual aspect of Imes’s contributions is
the access that he had to educational prerequisites,”
Marburger said.

However, Marburger emphasized that simple access to education is
not enough to ensure the success of students in science. Continuity
of education and adequate education at every grade level, he said,
also play a critical role.

Specifically, Marburger mentioned President Bush’s No
Child Left Behind initiative as an effort to strengthen education
in grades three through eight.

The No Child Left Behind Act — which seeks to improve
education systems in part through mandatory testing — has
come under recent fire as more than two dozen state assemblies have
registered protests against the act, according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures. Marburger faced several questions
on the act following his talk.

Marburger defended the initiative, saying its emphasis on
testing is a sound way to evaluate students.

“The people I’ve talked to are grateful for the
emphasis on evaluation. You don’t know what direction to make
a change in unless you measure the progress you’re
making,” he said.

But graduate student research assistant Boh Ruffin had a
different perspective on the act. “I have issues with the No
Child Left Behind Act. I don’t necessarily believe that
testing is the way to go,” he said.

More than 150 people gathered in West Hall for Marburger’s
talk and the symposium, organized by physics Prof. Homer Neal to
recognize and celebrate Imes’s and Moore’s
achievements.

The event also included lectures on the scientific and social
achievements of Imes and Moore, an address by University President
Mary Sue Coleman and remarks on education and research by LSA Dean
Terrence McDonald and regional industry representatives.

Neal said he was inspired to organize the symposium when he won
this year’s Edward Bouchet Award from the American Physical
Society. The award is presented to black, Hispanic or Native
American researchers who have made significant contributions to
physics research and shown excellence in communicating science.

Bouchet was the first black student in the nation to graduate
with a doctorate in physics, Neal said. “The (award) made me
question why we weren’t honoring the first two African
American graduates from our own university.”

Students who attended the event said they found the symposium
inspiring. As a black graduate student in physics, Ruffin said,
“Just seeing the legacy of black physicists has always kind
of inspired me to stay in the sciences, to stay devoted.”

LSA freshman Craig Chasseur said he came to the symposium partly
to hear Marburger speak and partly to learn more about minorities
in the physical sciences.

“Science and physics are the endeavor of all
humanity,” he said. “The more different perspectives we
have working on science, the more we all learn.”