The graduate program in physics at the University of Arkansas has a new name. The program will be called the Raymond H. Hughes Graduate Program in Physics after the former UA physics professor, thanks to a $500,000 endowed gift from Hughes’ wife, Olive Jane Wipson, and their four children.
The endowment established by the Hughes family will fund a variety of activities including professional development for faculty members who mentor and advise graduate students; professional development for graduate students; and programs to help recruit students and faculty.
The endowment will also support visiting lecturers, presenters or guest facultyto enrich the experience of graduate students in the physics program.
Hughes served as a professor in the UA physics department from 1954 to 1990 and was the first researcher to introduce atomic physics to the university.
Hughes is also credited with founding the graduate program in physics and overseeing the first doctorate in physics awarded at the UA in 1964.
Under Hughes’ direction, the UA program integrated a Master of Science degree as a key component of the doctoral program, according to a news release.
During his tenure at UA, Hughes directed 35 masters degree students and 19 doctoral students, at times serving as mentor to as many as nine students.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 8 on 02/26/2013