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Science and Tech Bring Vassar and West Point Together
By Larry Hertz Photos by Karl Rabe

For years, Vassar has had a long-standing relationship with the United States Military Academy at West Point, just 35 miles south of Poughkeepsie. This year, that relationship got a boost with the appointment of Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jenny Magnes as head of the College’s West Point Initiative.

Magnes, who served in the Army herself as a truck mechanic and taught at West Point in the past, launched the latest collaboration between the two institutions. On February 21, six members of the Military Academy joined about 50 Vassar students and faculty for a briefing on the Vassar Physics and Astronomy Department’s latest acquisition, a quantum computer.

Two people standing in a classroom speaking to each other with other people and classroom tables in the background. One of the people speaking is wearing a camouflage, military uniform.
Colonel Peter Chapman, head of the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy, and Vassar Professor of Physics and Astronomy Jenny Magnes say the two institutions can benefit from collaborations in research and in the classroom.

The event was hosted by Vassar Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Juan Merlo, along with two Vassar physics and astronomy majors, Amanda Flores ’26 and Tristan Christofferson ’26. A week later, a contingent of Vassar faculty and students also visited West Point to learn more about possible research using the Academy’s sub-critical reactor.

Military personnel in camouflage uniforms sitting in a classroom with a projector screen at the front with a teacher speaking.
Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Juan Merlo and two of his students, Physics and Astronomy majors Tristan Christofferson ’26 and Amanda Flores ’26 demonstrated the speed and power of the quantum computer for six members of the West Point faculty and about 50 Vasar students and faculty members.

Magnes said she was certain the two institutions could find ways to develop academic exchanges: “Getting Vassar students and West Point cadets together on academic projects can help demystify some of the beliefs that may exist on either side,” she said. “I think we can all benefit from sharing each other’s resources.”

Colonel Peter Chapman, head of West Point’s Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, led the contingent of six Academy faculty members on the trip to Vassar. Chapman said some of his faculty had worked with Magnes when she taught at West Point and was glad to renew their relationship: “When Jenny reached out to me about attending a briefing on the quantum computer, I was eager to do so,” he said. “Going forward we plan to see what kinds of joint research opportunities we can develop.”

A large classroom with rows of tables with students sitting looking at the teacher and projector screen at the front of the room.
Professor Merlo delivered his talk before an overflow crowd in Sanders Physics.

Magnes said that past activities with West Point Cadets have included exchanges with history majors from both institutions, when the Initiative was led by was led by History Professors Robert Brigham and Maria Hoehn, as well as attendance at Army football games and an Ultimate Frisbee tournament.

Magnes has tapped Assistant Professor Merlo, Army veteran and Assistant Professor of Education Jaime Del Razo, and Colleen Mallet, Director of Veteran Students Outreach and Support, to work with her on future collaborations with West Point. Mallet said plans are already being made to bring Vassar’s vets and West Point’s Cadets together for some activities on both campuses.

Posted
March 14, 2025
Administration
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