“The first time I met Dave was in 2008 when I interviewed for a position at UIUC (which I didn’t get, but that’s for another story). Before that, I only knew that he works on plasma/fusion, and nothing else. When we met, it was quickly apparent I was standing in front of a charismatic, enthusiastic, and brilliant professor, an impressive person in character, mind, and spirit…Over the years, I have gotten to know him better, as a passionate teacher, fierce advocate and caring mentor for his staff and students. His lectures are legendary, his classroom never has a problem with attendance; it is always full of students eager to watch and listen to his every word. A YouTube channel with almost 100K subscribers? Only Dave could do it!
"Despite his heavy workload and full schedule, he was always available for me with constructive and supportive advice on research, teaching, and navigating the university system. Always positive, inspiring, and brave. Walking on water? Done! Dave, I wish to be as brave as you.”
Tomasz Kozlowski
NPRE Professor and Associate Head for Undergraduate Programs
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June 30, 2024 marked the (partial) end of an era in NPRE, as Professor David Ruzic officially retired from teaching at the University of Illinois after 40 years. But by the time fall classes start up again, Ruzic will be back on campus continuing his research both at the Center for Plasma-Material Interactions (CPMI) and the Illinois Plasma Institute (IPI).
Ruzic said he first began thinking about retirement about four years ago, after he had completed 36 years of service.
“I think I came to the realization that I don't have enough time to work on all my research projects,” he said. “The Illinois Plasma Institute has been very successful. The work with ASML, the fusion work now has private fusion companies. There's the U.S. C.H.I.P.S. Act, with all the areas I've been working in are now going very strong. (My work) with Starfire (Industries) is going great.
“For instance, I have 18 graduate students, which is way, way too many. So how can I spend more time with the students doing research? And my answer was, duh, I can retire. Because then, all the time I spend teaching and the time I spend doing service activities, I will be able to spend working on research instead…and hopefully a few more fun activities that my wife would enjoy doing, too.”
Much can change over 40 years. When Professor Ruzic began his teaching career in the mid-1980s, the Internet was a long way from being a part of our everyday lives and changing how research was done and spread. Plasma science and engineering evolved in that time, but what has been consistent over the decades is how Ruzic approached his job.
“The qualities people talk about me are often my enthusiasm and personal involvement, and that hasn't changed,” Ruzic said. “I have clearly learned a lot more, become a lot wiser, seen a lot more things…As a professor, especially a young professor, you're constantly worried. Am I going to get enough funding to be able to pay for the students to pay for my own summer salary to pay for the equipment we need? Where is the next grant going to come from? I don't worry anymore… I think the change in me is when you're not worried about that as much, you can make sure that the students are progressing, and you can try to get your new ideas and concepts out.”
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“I will never forget the first night I flew into Champaign. David and Marilyn picked me up from the airport and drove me to my apartment. David was so enthusiastic about the University and town and you could see the love he has for the place. The next day he picked me up in his convertible, that is always an experience and he showed me around the university and lab. After settling in and getting all the things sorted out, he helped me with getting a car rental so I could get all the basics I need for my place. The next day David sits me down and asks where do I want to be, what is my goal? This is a question all students and post-docs get and its one I have adopted as well. Our jobs as professors and advisers is to help the people we look after become the best they can. For me, I wanted to work at PPPL (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory), and within about a year, I was over at PPPL. I will never forget and always cherish the advice, help and time that David put in to make me the best version of me. He has a way of doing that with everyone.”
Daniel Andruczyk
NPRE Research Associate Professor
Coordinator, Master’s of Engineering in Plasma Engineering
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Fusion. Semiconductors. Microchips. EUV. Lithography. Atmospheric pressure plasmas.
Those are all terms and concepts that have been hallmarks of Ruzic’s research over the years, but what has set him apart, besides his devotion to his students, has been his work to integrate that research with industry.
Through his time developing CPMI and now IPI, Ruzic has found ways to bridge the gap between between the lab and the marketplace. That also includes his work with Starfire Industries, a technology firm run by Brian Jurczyk and Robert Stubbers, two of Ruzic’s former postdoctoral researchers.
“I took some interest in and worked with the company and it has grown tremendously in the products that they've developed, some of which I'm the first name on the patent,” Ruzic said. “It's one thing to say, ‘Hey, I’ve got this idea.’ It's another to actually sell a product that uses it. And that's not something a professor usually gets to do.”
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“One of my fondest memories with David occurred when I was a graduate student. During a conference in California, David and a few of us from the CPMI group attended an evening social/networking event. Suddenly, a gentleman approached David. It turned out he was a senior director at Intel. He greeted David warmly and said, "David, thank you for giving us some of the best engineers we've ever had. Your students are the only ones who know how to get things working right from the start." That moment was one of the highlights of my graduate school experience and made me incredibly proud to be part of David's group.”
Dren Qerimi
NPRE Research Assistant Professor
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After 40 years, thousands of lectures, and hundreds of classes, that part of Ruzic’s career is over. He will now fully turn his attention to his research, the continued mentorship of graduate students, and the succession plan for CPMI and IPI.
“All of them can continue, and my involvement can lessen overtime,” Ruzic said. “However, like (Professor Emeritus) George Miley, I never planned to not be involved. George (who is in his 90s) still has a student. Therefore, I would like to be in that position, where for the rest of my life, I have at least some research involvement.
“I sincerely hope that when I come back, I'm working fewer hours per week, right? It might be impossible just because of my personality. But I'm hoping that that's the plan.”
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“I am very fortunate to have had such a great professor, advisor, and mentor as Professor David Ruzic. His contagious curiosity of experimental work and his fiery passion to teach inspired my career immensely. From preparing explosive in-class demonstrations to repairing lab equipment to enhancing presentation skills for conferences, Prof. Ruzic's guidance and enthusiasm helped shape me into the engineer I am today. Congratulations, Professor, on a great education career and thank you for all that you have taught me!”
Bob Lofgren
NPRE BS ’08, MS ‘10