Julian Smith writes a letter to thank Michael and Cynthia Jackson for their generous donation that allows him to focus on his undergraduate physics studies at WSU rather than work. He shares that he grew up in California and Washington state, backpacked in South America after high school, and switched his major to physics after enjoying his first physics course. Julian is considering graduate school and various career paths after college like consulting, becoming an astronaut, teaching, or traveling, with the goal of constantly learning through a variety of experiences.

1. September 30, 2010
Dear Michael and Cynthia Jackson,
Thank you. I am able to go to school at WSU because of generous donors like yourselves and
federal aid. Every dollar I receive means that I am able to spend more time focusing on and
enjoying my undergraduate studies instead of working. As I am sure you are aware physics is not
the lightest undergraduate degree one can pursue, however it is, in my opinion at least, one of the
most interesting. I cannot say thank you enough for allowing me that little extra time so that I
may get just a little deeper into all of the amazing things that I am learning. Seeing as how I
won’t possibly be able to express my gratitude in this letter I might as well tell you a little bit
about myself so you can at least see where your generosity is going.
My name is Julian. I was born in California and moved to Vashon Island (near Seattle) when I
was barely one. It was a wonderful place to grow up and I have a loving family. I enrolled in
running start and received an Associate of Arts before graduating high school, but because I was
juggling high school and college requirements I never actually had a chance to take a physics class
till I was enrolled here at WSU. After high school I took a year off, worked at a restaurant as a
waiter, and went backpacking through South America for five months. It was a truly incredible
experience but I had no more idea of what I wanted to study at university than I did when I left.
However I had heard that WSU was a good engineering school so I thought I might give it a try. I
also like the idea of going where I don’t know anybody, so that I don’t fall into stagnation and so
I am able to continually redefine myself. After the first semester at WSU, having only taken the
physics seminar course, I switched over from the engineering track to the physics degree which I am
currently pursuing; honestly, the best choice I could have made. I have made excellent friends here
and greatly enjoy my studies. As far as my future aspirations go I am quite split. I absolutely love
studying physics but do not know yet what I would like to do with it, or even if I will primarily use
it in my work. I am happy to share with you though, my possible aspirations for after university.
One very exciting option is graduate school. It almost seems silly to cut off this academic learning
at such an early stage when I benefit so much from it. The other ideas I have been throwing around
could be pursued either after my undergraduate degree or after I have decided to go to graduate
school. In no particular order they are; working as an outside consultant as a firm that helps ideas
be brought to life(essentially a firm that helps start up companies), astronaut (preferable for an
private company. It is incredible that this is a realistic option), just travel(one of my true loves),
and finally working as a teacher, either for young children or higher education. Ideally I would not
just end up doing one of these but actually a multitude of them; constantly redefining myself and
learning in new and interesting ways.
Once again I would like to thank you for your incredible generosity.
Sincerely,
Julian Smith