Hello Everybody,

I am a third-year physics major here at Ohio State. I am an Eminence Fellow and a Stamps Scholar. I have done research with OSU’s High Energy Density Physics group at the Scarlet Laser Facility, and I currently work at the Ohio Public Defender’s Office in the Mitigation and Investigation Division. I am a member of the OSU Mock Trial team, and an OSU football fanatic.

If any newly-minted Buckeyes have questions about the university or any of the programs that I’m involved in, I’d be happy to chat with you. Feel free to email me at besman.4@osu.edu.

Year in Review

This academic year has been a very successful one. I have learned quite a lot about both physics and law, and made several connections which will no doubt prove useful after graduation.

If I have learned one thing about the physics program here at Ohio State, it is that one has to be resilient in order to avoid becoming discouraged. Every honors physics major here is used to being the best student in their high school physics classes. Even in the freshman honors physics courses, “A” grades on all tests and quizzes are very attainable with just a bit of studying and perseverance. Once you become a sophomore, however, that all changes. Sophomore level physics at Ohio State is meant to be very hard, and it accomplishes that goal. Some incoming physics majors may (like me) be unintimidated by the notion of a class entitled “Intermediate Mechanics.” After all, mechanics is the first thing that one learns in physics, and how hard can it really be when it has “intermediate” in the name? I was in for a rude awakening. Intermediate Mechanics I and Intermediate Mechanics II are the two most challenging courses I have ever taken. There were several points during this last year in which I wondered whether or not I was even meant to be a physics major. I later found out that I was not alone in these concerns. Every sophomore physics major has, at some point, wavered in their assurance that they truly belong.

There is some good news for incoming sophomores. If you can survive the unfamiliar indignity of being confused and needing help, it will pay off in dividends. While your courses will push you to your limits, they will also show you that your limits extend much farther than you ever thought they could. In truth, Dr. Kilcup (the professor for both sequences of Intermediate Mechanics) is everything that a professor should strive to be. He is incredibly smart, motivated, and dedicated to his students. He’s been known to host office hours that last into the late night just to help his students succeed. If you’re willing to ask for help, he will provide it. If you’re willing to work hard, he will shape the way you think about the world around you.

G.O.A.L.S.

[ “G.O.A.L.S.” is a place where students write about how their planned, current, and future activities may fit into the Honors & Scholars G.O.A.L.S.: Global Awareness, Original Inquiry, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development, and Service Engagement. For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.

Global Awareness: Students cultivate and develop their appreciation for diversity and each individual’s unique differences. For example, consider course work, study abroad, involvement in cultural organizations or activities, etc .
Original Inquiry: Honors & Scholars students understand the research process by engaging in experiences ranging from in-class scholarly endeavors to creative inquiry projects to independent experiences with top researchers across campus and in the global community. For example, consider research, creative productions or performances, advanced course work, etc.
Academic Enrichment: Honors & Scholars students pursue academic excellence through rigorous curricular experiences beyond the university norm both in and out of the classroom.
Leadership Development: Honors & Scholars students develop leadership skills that can be demonstrated in the classroom, in the community, in their co-curricular activities, and in their future roles in society.
Service Engagement: Honors & Scholars students commit to service to the community.]

Career

[“Career” is where you can collect information about your experiences and skills that will apply to your future career.  Like your resume, this is information that will evolve over time and should be continually updated.   For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]

About Me

Hello, fellow Buckeyes!

I am a first-year student, double majoring in Physics and Political Science. I plan to use my atypical combination of majors to help bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and impactful public policies that reflect them. Many of the world’s most pressing political issues are deeply entwined with science — nobody can make successful policy on nuclear proliferation without first understanding nuclear physics. In order for science and politics to be meaningfully interdependent, practitioners in either field must be literate in both.

I attended Solon High School from 2012-2016, where I devoted myself to my studies. It was in high school that I truly began to fall in love with science. Because my school didn’t offer them, I self-studied for AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, and received fives on both tests. I spent my weekends tutoring my fellow classmates in physics and math, and watching free university lectures online to fuel my growing passion. Outside of the classroom, I was highly active in Lincoln-Douglas Debate. I was the captain of the Solon High School team, and I was our school’s first State Champion in the event.

After high school, I was admitted to the Ohio State University as an Eminence Fellow and a Stamps Scholar. I’ve since fell in love with OSU, and I intend to spend my four years in Columbus pursuing the passions that got me here. I’m hoping to secure a research position in the Physics Department, where I can join the ranks of Ohio State physicists on the cutting edge of science and help them to advance the field. I also aspire to join the OSU Mock Trial team, and represent our university at tournaments across the country.

Go Bucks!