Argonne is the oldest national lab in the country and has a very prestigious reputation. And perhaps Argonne has an inherent advantage given that the funding agency that will build and operate FRIB — the Department of Energy — is the same one that has operated the Chicago lab for more than a half century.

The lion’s share of support for nuclear physics at MSU has long come from a separate federal agency, the National Science Foundation.

But there are many advantages for students, the university and indeed the nation if FRIB were built in Michigan.

Those of us in the Great Lakes state should be excited, because the project will bring approximately $1 billion in direct federal investment — an economic infusion sorely needed in this economically battered state.

Researchers from around the nation and world will benefit also with the continuation of the nuclear physics program at the Cyclotron.

The laboratory is one of the best facilities for rare isotope research in the world. MSU’s on-campus user facility — the Cyclotron, which has 700 researchers in 32 countries — is unique in the nation, providing an environment for both graduate and undergraduate students to gain firsthand experience around cutting-edge technology for accelerator physics.

The lab employs 100 students who do everything from programming computers to building and maintaining intricate detectors used to conduct experiments. This makes the learning experience at MSU unique and allows for one of the best learning environments in the country, which is reflected in MSU’s No. 2 national ranking for its graduate nuclear physics program.

The university is 100 percent committed to win this competition and has been a strong supporter of nuclear physics here since the 1960s. Bringing FRIB to MSU will be good for the prestige of the university and the state, and create high-wage jobs and spinoff applications.

Bringing “FRIB to our crib” will ensure MSU continues to attract the best and the brightest to our state and university. Get excited about this huge project that’s being undertaken — start by scheduling a tour of the Cyclotron.

There will be several events throughout this semester to spread the word about the benefits of bringing FRIB to MSU, and the students’ voice will be an integral part of helping ensure we are successful.

Bring FRIB to our crib!

Michael D. Webber

history senior and ASMSU’s Student Assembly chairperson