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Meet the Department Interview with Jon Pelz

Jon Pelz image
OSU Title:  Professor of Physics and Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Research

Number of years at OSU:  24 years - Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Research since 2008.

Research Area:  Experimental Condensed Matter Physics.   This includes using scanning tunneling microscopy to study nanometer scale electronic materials, including semiconductors.

Favorite foods:  Indian food and craft beers

Hobbies:  Likes bicycling

Pets:   An American Eskimo mix dog, named Nanook.  He is ~25 lbs.

Describe your current job.  It has two main parts.  The first is heading up graduate recruiting and admissions.  The criteria we use for acceptance include grades, test scores, strong letters from students’ research and academic advisors/mentors, and evidence that they have the ability and persistence to overcome obstacles in work and life. The other part of the job is to  take care of graduate students in the program who need advice, motivation, or help with things like applying for fellowships or “navigating the system.” 

What was your first job?  I was a paper boy and bus boy.  I had several different jobs in college, including working as a cashier at a coffee shop.

What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?  When I was 6, I lived in India for a year.  My father was a Social Psychologist and took a sabbatical to India.  During my junior year in high school I lived in France with a friend and his family.   In 2002, I took a sabbatical and lived with my family in Lausanne, Switzerland.

If you weren’t a Physicist, what would you be doing as a career?   Something to do with a high tech company making cool stuff or a doctor-maybe a radiologist, helping people.

What is your favorite place on campus?  I enjoy going to the Physical Activity and Education Services (PAES) and I like to take long walks through campus, through the oval and Thompson Library.

If you could stay a certain age forever, what would it be?  Why?  Probably my 30’s, if I had tenure.  My kids were at a fun age and I had more energy and time to try new things.  Although I like the stability that I have at this age.

What is your most memorable experience or proudest accomplishment?  Helping to establish the bridge program at OSU.  I am very glad we are doing that.
Proudest accomplishment:  Raising my kids.  I have two sons, ages 20 and 22.  My oldest son just graduated from college and is currently living in Vietnam.

Where would we find you on the morning of a home football game?  Riding a bike, then watching the game on TV.

If you could talk with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?  Why? The people of the time of the development of the religions.  Jesus, Moses, Mohammad and other people who were there.

What do you think you will do after you retire?  Travel all over, but would also like to continue working with education in some capacity.