Marquis Scholar Jonathan Farrar ’07 is working as an EXCEL Scholar assisting Andrew Kortyna, assistant professor of physics, in his research on cold molecular collisions.

Marquis Scholar Jonathan Farrar '07 took advantage of the interim abroad program his first year.

"The interim abroad was one of the primary reasons why I decided to attend Lafayette," says Farrar, who is pursuing a dual degree in physics and mathematics. "I couldn't have imagined a better trip than the interim I took to Russia.

"It was a combination of my peers, the faculty, and Russia that made the experience so great. I also enjoy the fact that at Lafayette, it doesn't matter if you're a Marquis Scholar or not, as you're not branded "different" in any negative way."

Farrar dove into research the summer after his freshman year as an EXCEL Scholar, assisting Andrew Kortyna, assistant professor of physics, build an atomic beam apparatus to help examine atomic collisions.

"I really enjoy the relationship that I have forged with Prof. Kortyna and my other professors," says Farrar. "Lafayette [offered] an excellent research opportunity for me that I would otherwise have had to wait until graduate school to experience."

Farrar is a volunteer through Lafayette's Landis Community Outreach Center.