Many ORHS graduates who plan on studying physics at the university level enroll at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The UT Physics Department provides a truly excellent next step for these students, providing small classes for majors taught by world-class professors. Students also have research opportunities.

For several years, the top first-year physics award at the University of Tennessee has gone to an Oak Ridge High School graduate. Students winning this award include:

2009: Bart Weitering

2008: Jeffrey Nicholas

2007: John Whittingham

2006: Jacob Suggs

2005: Jeffrey Hankins

2004: Mike Ashworth

To find out more about the University of Tennessee Physics Department, visit their web page at http://www.phys.utk.edu/