Sylvester James "Jim" Gates, Jr. has been awarded the UMD President's Medal, the highest honor the University can bestow. A researcher in highly mathematical physics, Gates is a Distinguished University Professor, University System of Maryland Regents Professor and John S. Toll Professor of Physics. He recently was named a Wilson H. Elkins Professor by the University System of Maryland, and elected vice president of the Maryland State Board of Education. He was awarded the 2011 National Medal of Science.

The President's Medal will be presented at the University's Faculty and Staff Convocation on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel. ​Other physics honorees include Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Steve Anlage and Distinguished University Professors Rabi Mohapatra and Xiangdong Ji.