Concordia College junior Jordan Masterson has been awarded the prestigious Rossing Physics Scholarship, a national honor recognizing outstanding students in the field.
Masterson will receive a $5,000 award from the Thomas D. Rossing Fund for Physics Education, established through the Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by Dr. Thomas D. Rossing.
“He is an amazing student, and the honor is well-deserved,” said Dr. Luiz Manzoni, chair of the physics department.
Masterson, who plans to pursue a career in medical physics, said his interest in the field grew from an early love of math paired with an interest in medicine.
“Something that I always like to tell people is, I’d rather do two hours of math homework than write a paper,” he said.
At first, he wasn’t sure how to combine those two passions. But through Concordia faculty, he discovered the path of medical physics to work alongside doctors creating radiation treatment plans for patients.
For the past two summers, Masterson has worked with associate professor of physics Dr. Thelma Berquó, researching the magnetic properties of different iron oxides. He credits that experience — as well as opportunities such as competing in a NASA Space Consortium rocket-building contest and attending a drone workshop — with expanding his knowledge and skills.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve really enjoyed Concordia, and Concordia’s physics department,” he said. “It’s challenging and time consuming for sure, but it’s been a good journey so far, and I look forward to classes, so that’s a good thing. I usually don’t go in dreading them.”
Beyond academics, Masterson has found balance in football his freshman year and band, which he says also shaped his experience.
“The staff here is really invested in making sure we’re set up for our future, however we want to be,” he said. “They push different research opportunities or internships, and it’s really accessible to just get more involved and have those opportunities I might not have.”
Reflecting on the scholarship, Masterson added, “I felt really honored. I know that there’s some strong competition, and it really felt like not just my work, but the work of everyone supporting me. Also, it’s nice to know that when you work hard, it pays off. Along with everyone helping me, my determination, perseverance — it’s a sense of accomplishment.”