Tuscaloosa proclaims Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff Day, historic commission presents local exhibit

Mayor Wall Madison read a proclamation on Dec. 20 honoring Tuscaloosa native Dr. Robert Jameson Van de Graaff and declared the date Dr. Robert Jameson Van de Graaff Day in Tuscaloosa. The proclamation recounts his local schooling, education as a Rhodes Scholar, and the scientific work that led to the Van de Graaff generator.

The city invited members of the Van de Graaff Foundation and the historic commission to the dais. Dr. Pagani, representing the historic commission, said the celebration followed months of work to re-label and research artifacts and to prepare displays. "He's been referred to as the father of modern physics and there is a crater on the moon named for him in honor of his accomplishments," Pagani said, urging the council to recognize his local roots and international contributions.

Councilmembers and foundation representatives gathered for a brief photo after the proclamation. City staff said materials from the Jameson/Van de Graaff foundation will be displayed at the Sabin Center and made available to classroom teachers in the city and county to support local history and STEM education.

During business comments, a resident who identified himself as Stan Pate thanked the council and recalled childhood experiences with a small static generator, saying, "You could put your hand on it and then all the hair on your arms" — a remark in support of preserving and presenting the inventor’s legacy.

The proclamation does not attach funding or a new city program; it is an honorary designation and part of a broader effort by the historic commission to publicize Van de Graaff-related exhibits.