Paul Hosmer did pit crew for dirt races in graduate school. Courtesy | Paul Hosmer

In this Quick Hits, Chairman and Associate Professor of Physics Paul Hosmer talks gardening, Star Wars, and running track. 

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

First choice, United States. Second choice, the former Soviet Union. Third choice, the second British Empire.

Why did you decide to teach at Hillsdale?

I was willing to flip burgers at Saga, but a physics position happened to be open.

What is your biggest achievement in entering the Hillsdale County Fair contests?

Third place in the “Decorative Basket of Gourds” competition. I have won first-place ribbons in other competitions, but they all mean nothing to me compared to that third-place ribbon. The “Decorative Basket of Gourds” competition is to the Hillsdale County Fair what the individual gymnastics all-around is to the Olympics. Next year I intend to compete in the 4 feet by 4 feet vegetable mural competition.

What is your favorite movie and why?

“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.” It is a reminder of the perfection of the world before Disney corrupted everything. I put it in my will that John Williams’s soundtrack to “Empire” should be played at my funeral. In addition, in lieu of a coffin, I am to be encased in carbonite, or, failing that, sewn into the belly of a giant stuffed tauntaun before interment.

What is your favorite Hillsdale memory from when you were a student?

Alexander Stromas, beloved professor of politics and tough Cold-War-era Lithuanian exile who would chain smoke during class, would pose a difficult question from the reading, then go from student to student for the answer. When each student finished attempting to answer, he would say something insulting like “Wrong! You know nothing!” or “Are you in kindergarten?” Every time he got to me, I would simply say “Sir, I have no idea,” and he would accept that answer and move on to insult the next student. After about the fifth time of me answering “Sir, I have no idea,” he stopped and said, “Mr. Hosmer, you are the smartest student I have ever had.”

Did you do dirt track racing as a sport or activity in graduate school? How long did you do it?

I helped bankroll and worked pit crew for my brother’s race team for several years while I was a graduate student. Among other places, we raced at Butler Motor Speedway, the local three-eighth mile dirt track north of Quincy.

What is your favorite physics concept?

John Wheeler’s “One Electron Universe” idea: that all the electrons and positrons we see in nature are the same one electron, going back and forth in time, bouncing off the beginning and the end of the universe. It is a beautifully elegant and imaginative idea, which is what we get to deal with all the time in physics.

What is your best class memory?

One time, when I finished giving my Physics 100 introductory lecture, the class started clapping spontaneously. I considered retiring right then so as to go out on top.

What is your favorite sport?

Track. I ran track in high school. Great memories. In my entire track career, not only did I never win a race, I had the great distinction of never finishing ahead of another person in any race in which I competed.

What advice would you give to your college self?

Consider the Saga meal plan a sunk cost. Take out another loan. Eat like royalty. Loan forgiveness could be in your future.

What is your funniest parenting moment or something funny one of your kids said?

One time while leaving Applebee’s, an elderly lady stopped us and said our 3-year-old son was so cute she just wanted to give us a dollar. We laughed. She got a dollar out of her purse and insisted we take it. We told her we have four other cute kids at home.

What is your go-to food for a road trip?

Chick-fil-A. Living around here, you can only get it on a road trip. We plan our family vacations around Chick-fil-A locations.

What is the best study spot on campus?

Einstein’s relativity shows us that depending on our frame of reference this question could just as well be stated as “WHEN is the best study spot on campus?”