Graduate School The Illinois Way

Top students--both graduate and undergraduate--are attracted by the world-class faculty and outstanding facilities. But it is the reputation, connections, interdisciplinary work, and breadth of opportunities they find here that really defines "The Illinois Way."

Nobel Inspiration

That physics doctoral candidate William McGehee was selected to attend the prestigious Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting confirms his exemplary academic achievements as gauged by the event’s rigorous three-step application process. But it was his University of Illinois connections that set McGehee’s overall experience apart from the other 579 young researchers who joined him from around the globe in Lindau, Germany.

“I had dinner with 2005 Nobel winner Theodor Hänsch, who was the doctoral advisor of Illinois physics professor Jim Eckstein, a member of my thesis committee,” McGehee said. He also attended discussion sessions with John Hall (who shared the 2005 Nobel with Hänsch) and 1997 Nobel winner William Phillips.

Many of the esteemed speakers addressed non-scientific aspects of their work, sharing insights on overcoming rejection, persevering through difficult times and adapting to changing academic interests throughout the course of a career. McGehee also enjoyed time with the other students.

“It’s rare that so many great students from different backgrounds and disciplines gather to share perspectives and learn from some of the greatest scientists alive,” he said.

Following the meeting, McGehee presented his second invited talk, made possible by two sets of Illinois family ties in the physics department. He discussed Anderson localization of ultracold 3D matter waves at the University of Hannover’s Institute for Quantum Optics, and toured their robust lab facilities.

“I am grateful to have had these opportunities so early in my career,” McGehee said. “They would not have been possible without the connections I have made at the University of Illinois.”
 

Rigor, Engagement, and Connections

No wonder Sofie Leon understands the reputation buzz about the College of Engineering and the University of Illinois. The civil and environmental engineering PhD student has been living it every day since arriving on campus in 2008.

“I was already well aware that if you go here, you’re known everywhere,” she said. “Now, comparing experiences with my Cal Poly undergrad classmates shows that Illinois is a more rigorous program, we present our research at conferences earlier in our academic careers, and have more frequent opportunities for presentations.”

Plus, she’s discovered a deep sense of community—including “amazing” support and encouragement from faculty members and the college’s administration—as students and faculty work together to advance their fields. She credits her advisor, civil and environmental engineering professor Glaucio Paulino, as the catalyst in her selection for a National Science Foundation fellowship this year.

“In addition to helping formulate a research plan and offering me a broad amount of research experience during my first year—which served as excellent preparation for the fellowship application essay—Professor Paulino pointed out the correlation of my interest in youth outreach on STEM initiatives to NSF’s goals for the program.”

Building on her past efforts with student engagement through the Society of Women Engineers, Leon coordinated a week-long summer camp for female middle and high school students—Girls Adventures in Math, Engineering and Science (GAMES)—for the past three years.

“Having such a large interdisciplinary campus supporting efforts such as the GAMES camp creates even more opportunities
that are elevating my grad school experience,” Leon said.  
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Editor's note: Article originally appeared in the Engineering at Illinois Magazine (Vol. 3, No. 2).

Writer: Cyndi Paceley

If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, editor, Engineering Communications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 217/244-7716.