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Vanderbilt University professor Joseph Hamilton showed his creative talents when he suggested “Tennessine” for the name of element 117 on the periodic table.
And Hamilton’s bright idea linking the Volunteer State seems to be quite fitting. The Mississippi College graduate was part of the team of Tennessee researchers helping discover the new element a few years ago. They worked with scientists at Russia’s Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.
In June, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry announced the “provisional recommendation” to accept Dr. Hamilton’s proposal, according to a statement released by Vanderbilt officials. A story about Hamilton’s latest involvement with element 117 appeared in the “USA Today Network” and other media around the nation.
If approved in a few months, Tennessee would become the second state to have an element named after it, Vanderbilt officials said. Californium or element 98 was discovered in the 1950s, the university noted.
“After this occurs, the name of the state of Tennessee will be in the periodic table of textbooks of physics and chemistry worldwide forever,” Dr. Hamilton said in a statement.
The Tennessee coalition of researchers came from Vanderbilt, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In playing a key role in the 2010 discovery, the Tennessee group also confirmed a series of super-heavy elements.
A 1954 MC graduate, Hamilton said he never would have dreamed he would be involved in such world-class scientific discoveries as he studied physics, math, chemistry and biology on the Clinton campus.
After teaching at Vanderbilt for 58 years, Hamilton continues to amaze people with his far-reaching achievements that bring the scientist global acclaim. It’s also a good reflection on the education and mission at Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College, leaders say.
“Joe Hamilton represents the embodiment of his alma mater’s vision to seek both academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ,” says Mississippi College President Lee Royce, a Vanderbilt graduate.
“Dr. Hamilton’s life of extraordinary scholarly achievement and active church service over so many decades proves that one can reach the highest levels of scientific achievement while at the same time remaining faithful to Christian truth and service,” Royce added.
“We rejoice with friends around the world in his many significant contributions and the honor he brings to his alma mater,” Dr. Royce said.
In June, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry also announced proposed names and symbols for a few other elements. All names will face a review process before final approval. Officials say the discovery team for three of the elements included 72 scientists, including Hamilton, from 16 institutions worldwide.
Dr. Hamilton has published more than 1,000 papers and articles on nuclear physics. He’s also served as a visiting or adjunct professor at universities in Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Russia and France. Even his title is pretty complex.
The Landon C. Garland Distinguished Professor of Physics at Vanderbilt, Dr. Hamilton holds another job. He is director of the Joint Institute for Heavy Ion Research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
But the gifted scientist is also a down to Earth guy. On his desk, he keeps a framed picture of himself, coaches and players from the Los Angeles Dodgers Fantasy Camp. Hamilton roots for the Chicago Bears. The NFL team’s quarterback Jay Cutler was one of his former Vanderbilt students.
Hamilton’s many deeds make Tennessee native Ron Howard so proud. “Joe Hamilton is a phenomenal teacher and scientist who is living testimony to the superb education he received at Mississippi College decades ago,” says the MC vice president for academic affairs.
“Few MC alumni rival his renown, and I know of nobody who’s been so closely associated with the discovery of a new element on the periodic chart,” Howard said. “In a few words, Dr. Hamilton is a national treasure, and he’s still going strong!”
Hamilton earned kudos as he joined international researchers to co-discover new elements (113, 115 and 117) between 2010 and 2012. Longtime colleagues like Russian scientist Yuri Oganessian call the Vanderbilt professor “the Father of 117.”
Joe and his wife, Jannelle, also make a strong team: they’ve been married 56 years. The couple met at an MC Baptist Student Union conference in Canada.
Photo: Vanderbilt University professor Joseph Hamilton said he never would have dreamed he would be involved in such world-class scientific discoveries as he studied physics, math, chemistry and biology at Mississippi College.
