UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In 2026, Penn State celebrates the centennial anniversary of awarding its first doctoral degree — a degree in physics — to Marsh White. He was a student in the then-School of Chemistry and Physics at the Pennsylvania State College, known today as the Department of Physics in the Penn State Eberly College of Science.
For his doctoral research, White set out to disprove Einstein’s theory of relativity. He didn’t accomplish that, but he did earn the first doctoral degree from Penn State, paving the way for many other brilliant scientists to receive graduate education.
Join the Eberly College of Science, Department of Physics, and the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School from 3 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, in 117 Osmond Building or via webinar, to celebrate 100 years of doctoral degrees at Penn State, White’s legacy, and the impact of physics research and education today.
Speakers will include Tracy Langkilde, Verne M. Willaman Dean of the Eberly College of Science; Richard Robinett, emeritus professor of physics; Douglas Orzolek, associate director of graduate academic affairs in the Fox Graduate School; and Mauricio Terrones, George A. and Margaret M. Downsbrough Head of the Department of Physics, Evan Pugh University Professor, and Professor of Chemistry and of Materials Science and Engineering. The event will be moderated by Katie Yan, a doctoral candidate in the Eberly College of Science.
More information about the "100 Years of the Penn State Ph.D." event is available on the Eberly College events calendar. RSVPs for Zoom webinar attendance are required, and for in-person attendance are appreciated.
In-person attendees also are invited to stay for a reception after the event, from 4 to 5 p.m., with light food and beverages, historical relics, and tours of the Society of Physics Students lounge and the Müller Exhibition.