THERE’S A FAMOUS QUOTE attributed to English physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton that says, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Newton, who worked in the late 1600s and early 1700s, is often described as one of his era’s seminal scientific leaders, and he firmly believed his success grew out of the score of great thinkers who preceded him.

That sentiment came to mind as we were working on this issue of Minnesota Alumni.

On the following pages, we look at some pivotal accomplishments that have come out of the University of Minnesota, and the individuals involved in them.

For instance, Jeannette Piccard (Ph.D. ’42) and her husband, Jean, a longtime professor at the U of M, used high altitude balloons to do extraordinary work in furthering our understanding of “near space.” Jeanette, who served as the pilot for their high-altitude investigations, is often referred to as the first woman in space—an astonishing feat for the 1930s. At one point the duo gathered in-person data from nearly 11 miles up in the stratosphere, using a balloon they developed.

Their work provided a broad platform for research that continues at the University today. In fact, many students at the U of M still conduct their own stratospheric experiments, using smaller, pilotless weather balloons to gather and interpret data. Their activities and findings improve their scientific skills while helping us cumulatively gain more knowledge about the world around us.

Demonstrating this throughline from the Piccards to today, the University’s Stratospheric Ballooning Team still uses scientific payloads carried by high-altitude balloons to gather data, photography, and video. In April 2024, the team traveled to Indiana for the solar eclipse, joining ballooning teams from across the country. The group was able to “park” a balloon at 80,000 feet during the event. And in July a mechanical engineering group from the U of M sent the U.S. flag, the U of M flag, and the new Minnesota state flag into near space as part of a test of materials, capturing an arresting image with an expanse of inky black behind it.

Knowledge breeds knowledge, and innovation in every field creates building blocks for future scholars. In this issue, we celebrate this impressive history at the U of M, and look at a few of the individuals who continue to make their mark by standing on the shoulders of giants.

Also in this issue, Minnesota Alumni sits down with President Rebecca Cunningham for an in-depth interview. As the relatively new 18th president of the University, Cunningham talks passionately about what she’s seen and learned so far in her first months on the job, describes her plan for setting new strategic five-year goals, and shares how alumni can play a crucial role in shaping the future of their alma mater.

Kelly O’Hara Dyer can be reached at ohara119@umn.edu.

If you liked this story, Minnesota Alumni magazine publishes four times a year highlighting U of M alumni and University activities. Early access to stories and a print subscription are benefits of being an Alumni Association member. Join here to receive a printed copy at home.