The annual Physics Leaders meeting was held, October 3-4, 2025. 

During the meeting, the department's Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Paul Leath, PhD '66, for his career achievements and longtime service to the department. Leath was a founder member of the Physics Leaders. His academia career in condensed matter physics at Rutgers University included serving as vice-provost, provost, and later as Chair of the Physics Department. 

The fall meeting included briefings from Department Chair Paul Miceli, Director of Graduate Students and Professor Suchi Guha, and Director of Undergraduate Studies and Teaching Professor Silvia Bompadre. Students provided updates on the department's organizations. College of Arts and Science Cooper Drury dropped by to talk about the college and answer questions. Four undergraduate and four graduate students presented on their research. The Physics Leaders evaluated and awarded monetary prizes. Attendees enjoyed an evening of socializing and dinner. Student awards, faculty recognition awards, and a department Distinguished Alumni were announced and awarded.

Graduate student Stephen Klue explains the ultra-fast laser setup to Philip Chumbley and Chuck Crowder

Three of the department's research labs and a rooftop solarscope were available for tours and viewing. The labs featured semi-conductor crystal growth, ice lithography and an ultra-fast laser. Posters highlighting astrophotography, x-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, and ice lithography were displayed on the second floor. 

Leaders in suchi lab photo with caption: Graduate student Stephen Klue explains the ultra-fast laser setup to leaders Philip Chumbley and Chuck Crowder

The Friday evening dinner event was held at the Holiday Inn executive Center. Department Chair Paul Miceli presented faculty recognition awards to Guang Bian, Sergei Kopeikin, Maria Mills, and Wouter Montfrooij.

The Boain Dissertation awards were presented by Paul Miceli and Ron Boain via Zoom to Jacob Cook (first place, advisor Guang Bian), and Alec Martin (second place, advisor Yicheng Guo).

Paul Miceli and Leaders President Vann Priest presented awards to the students the leaders selected as the top presenters on Friday afternoon, a difficult job to choose among many outstanding presentations. 

• Undergraduate awardees: First place Carter Meyerhoff, second place Zach Borowiak
• Graduate awardees: first place Vicki Kuhn, second place tie to Sadie Nickles and David Beckwitt.

On Saturday, Silvia Bompadre, Director of Undergraduate Students, and Suchi Guha, Director of Graduate Students, led a productive and extended leaders’ discussion. 

Next year’s meeting will be held in October. 

Following the meeting, the Physics Leaders, represented by their president Vann Priest, composed a letter to the College of Arts and Science Dean. The leaders commented on a stable department and one that is well-positioned to grow, noting how Mizzou's vision for science and engineering (Center for Energy Innovation, Material Science and Engineering Center, NextGen MURR and the National Neutron Scattering User Facility) will provide ample opportunities for the department.

Physics leaders Ron Boain, Don Packwood, and Jim Seeser on the roof of the physics building for solar viewing