Youngest PSU Grad EVER Going to UK

My amazing fifteen-year-old son ,who just became the youngest Portland State University Graduate EVER, has  been accepted into a Master’s program at the Higgs Center in Scotland to study theoretical physics! 

Photograph credit of Stephanie Yao Long, photographer for the Oregonian.

Grant Harter visited me last September and asked me as his adviser for his thesis before his graduation from the Physics department, Portland State University, (PSU) USA this summer. As you can see from his thesis, just passing his defense in a "honor project" in PSU, titled " Implications of NJL model with a new RRM,” in which not just only a rather detail review is presented, but also a lot of new materials of our current research topics are discussed. He is always sensitive to new approaches while keeping rigorous in logic and mathematics. I hope and believe that Grant's name will be put on the authors' list (7 coauthors in total) of 4 papers this year. Anyway, I firmly believe that Grant does exhibit his unique character and value as a researcher. He will prove himself to receive any fund for his advanced study in any university (sic).

Guang-Jiong Ni
Professor of Physics                                     June 12, 2017

Grant is a promising young stars in the field of physics (sic). He has been in three of my classes and I have witness (sic) his excellent analytical abilities, high degree of responsibility, self-motivation, and eagerness to achieve a solid background education. Grant deserves our support.

Andres La Rosa
Professor of Physics                                     June 10, 2017

 Grant is a special student in that he was home-educated until he started college at Portland State University, from which he is going to graduate with a BS this Spring as one of the youngest graduates ever from this University.  He has been highly motivated towards studying theoretical physics and was able to go through one of the most advanced graduate courses in Quantum Mechanics in our Physics Department with a background only from self-study.  He is highly-promising as a future successful physicist and he has my full support in all his efforts.

Pui-Tak Leung
Professor of Physics                                     June 9, 2017


The Early Years: I’ve fostered and nurtured his exceptional intellect while homeschooling him as a single parent. I watched him excel in college at a young age and he just obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in physics and mathematics from the Honor's College while still too young to get his driver’s license.  

Community Service: But his talents don’t end with his intellect. He is a caring individual who has volunteered countless hours for local community centers, the city library, and a local science organization. Through his many hours of helping other young people become excited about learning, he’s also taught workshops to other college students and volunteered at various science outreach events sponsored by his undergraduate university.

Awards: He won a national award for science journalism at the age of twelve for making complex subject matter easy to understand.

Memberships: Not only is he a Mensa member but he is part of the prestigious institute for exceptionally gifted youth: The Davidson Institute. He is a member of the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, a Science Outreach Society member and a graduate of Portland State University's Honor's College.

The Journey: Given my son's young age, we are moving to Scotland as a family so I can continue to support him in every way possible. 

The Investment: This funding will assist with: moving and travel costs to go to Scotland (40%); tuition, books and supplies for his master’s program(38%);  the added daily expenses of living in Scotland (12%);  and other incidental costs associated with an international move from the US to Scotland (10%).

Today's Young Physicist: I’ve always known my son would grow up and make meaningful contributions to the world. I never thought it would happen so quickly or that he would shine so bright. I kindly ask your assistance in making his dream of pursuing his master’s degree in Scotland come true as he’s given so much to make this a better world for so many. With your support, my son can continue making vital contributions to  theoretical physics. 

The professors who’ve worked with him have faith in his abilities. The highly competitive master’s program recognizes his talent and has offered him acceptance. I am asking that the community support this promising young physicist as he sets forth onto the international stage to shine even more brightly. He is a reminder to each of us that dreams are worth pursuing and life is worth living.

Read Samantha Swindler's article in the Oregonian  to learn even more.