Benjamin Byrd: Small assist pays quantum dividends

Benjamin Byrd is a physics senior from Kalamazoo, Mich., who will graduate in spring 2020.

When the lab that Benjamin Byrd had been working in for nearly two years ran out of funding for his paid position, he thought he’d have to give up the work he loved and find another job so he could pay  for his schooling and living expenses. That’s when his academic advisor recommended that he apply to the College of Natural Science (NatSci) Undergraduate Emergency Assistance Fund.

These emergency funds are available to assist students who are faced with minor financial needs and challenges, including unforeseen expenses that may put students in jeopardy of completing their MSU education. To date, seven students have been helped by this fund since its inception in April 2019.

“I was incredibly relieved when I found out that I would have access to the funds,” said Byrd. “I looked to the emergency fund to help me pay my rent so I could continue to work in the lab—as a volunteer. Having my rent paid—and not having to worry about having enough to eat—was something I was incredibly thankful for.”

Because of donors who generously gave to establish and support the fund, Byrd is now on track to complete his undergraduate degree at MSU.

Receiving these funds allows students to focus not only on their coursework and research, but on extracurricular experiences that will advance their careers in the sciences and help them develop personally and professionally.

“Ever since I was really young, I loved logic puzzle books, and I always did really well in my math classes,” he said. “When I was in middle school, my mother bought me a book by Michio Kaku that discussed at a very readable level lots of abstract theoretical physics ideas in a way that even I could understand; all of the seemingly impossible things the author discussed got me interested in the field.”

“The community that the physics and astronomy department fosters has been a joy to be a part of; I’m going to miss this incredibly when I leave.

“Receiving these funds was an immense weight lifted off my shoulders,” continued Byrd, who is currently applying to graduate schools and plans to earn a Ph.D. in physics in the field of quantum information. “If I had the chance to speak with one of the donors, I would certainly thank them for helping me make it through my last year of undergrad. They really did help enable me to graduate and move on with the career that I'm excited about.”