Bonjour à tous et à toutes,

If you had told me in June 2001 everything that I have experienced in the past 4½ years, I certainly would not have believed you. Reflecting on my time since graduating from Manistee High School, I realize that it has been incredible.

I will be graduating from Manchester College (northern Indiana) in May, 2006, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics, Math, and French. Along with my academic pursuits, I have held various leadership positions in the Society of Physics Students and Students Pondering about Mathematics (SPAM, for short) including president, vice president, and student government representative. Additionally, for four years I played soccer for the Manchester Spartans, three of which as a varsity member at the midfield position. This past spring I was presented with the Manchester College Director's Award for being the senior male student athlete during the 2004/2005 academic year.

A little seed that was planted in my head during my first-year French course at Manistee High School impressed me with the desire to see the world. Manchester's tri-semester system allowed me to fulfill this desire. During one January term, I had the opportunity to tour London and Paris; during another January term, I was in Jamaica for the month on a mission trip. Additionally, I participated in an eight day mission trip in Germany. Currently, I am spending the 2005/2006 academic year at the University of Marc Bloch in Strasbourg, France, improving my French abilities.

Who knew that the cardboard boat or the 5-foot rocket I helped build in physics during my senior year at Manistee High School would launch me towards a career in that area and where it would lead. My main concentration on physics has permitted me to travel around the United States to work at major research facilities. I have assisted with thermal conductivity measurements of intercalated graphite fibers at NASA's Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, Ohio), analyzed x-ray data of the Andronema galaxy at Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, New Mexico), and built computer simulations of muon decay within an experimental apparatus at Cornell University's Laboratory for Elementary Particle Research (Ithaca, New York).

Currently I plan to continue my studies in physics at a Midwest graduate school to receive my doctorate. Afterwards, I hope to obtain a professorship at a small to mid-size university where I can introduce new minds to the wonderful world of physics and direct my own research while avoiding a monotonous, daily routine.

"Thank you" to the educators and support staff of the Manistee Area Public Schools for starting me out on this lifetime venture.

Gregory A. Robison

(Picture taken in the Vosges Mountains, France)