At Gettysburg College, learning means doing. Physics major Christian Brutus ’27 has found Gettysburg instrumental in helping him develop the teamwork skills needed to unleash his academic potential and prepare for a career in engineering.
Inside Masters Hall, the lights dim, the glasses go on, and Christian Brutus ’27 gets to work.
The physics major from Cos Cob, Connecticut, ascends a stepladder and prepares to conduct another hands-on research session on stopping power energy with the help of a proton accelerator.
As a steady hum from the accelerator fills the lab, Brutus settles in to calculate and quantify the energy loss of accelerated protons passing through very thin films of various metals, such as copper and gold. He’s using his research to compare the stopping power of protons to existing data.
Earlier this summer, Brutus participated in Physics Prof. Bret Crawford’s Cross-Disciplinary Science Institute (X-SIG) research at Gettysburg College. The X-SIG program equips students like Brutus with the skills necessary for modern research, enabling them to explore the ethical and practical aspects of scientific study.
Aside from the cool part of his research—working with a first-class proton accelerator in Masters Hall—Brutus said that X-SIG has been one of the many high points of a Gettysburg education that’s preparing him for an engineering career after graduation.
“Having the opportunity to participate in X-SIG this summer helps me further develop teamwork and research and engineering skills,” he said. “It’s truly a wonderful experience getting to work with the accelerator we have in the lab and learning its ins and outs.”
Complementing his work through X-SIG, Gettysburg’s physics courses have been instrumental in “bringing real-world problems into the classroom and helping build a framework for solving them,” he said. It’s been an important foundation to his long-term professional goals.
“I’ve had opportunities to work on challenging projects, develop problem-solving skills, and apply classroom concepts through X-SIG,” he added. “Those experiences have confirmed that I enjoy tackling complex technical challenges and have prepared me well for a career in engineering.”
“What ultimately made Gettysburg my choice was the people and the many opportunities it would provide to realize my dreams.”
– Christian Brutus ’27
Brutus finds that courses he’s taken outside his major, such as in Caribbean studies with Africana Studies Prof. Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams, have deepened his thinking about the broader world. That deep thinking remains a hallmark of a Gettysburg College education.
Brutus could have gone to college anywhere, but he chose Gettysburg, recognizing the potential it would afford him to do something great with his education.
“I was looking for a place I could call my second home, but also one that would build my character and work ethic for my future career,” he said. “What ultimately made Gettysburg my choice was the people and the many opportunities it would provide to realize my dreams.”
At Gettysburg, Brutus has embraced opportunities to lead and collaborate with others. He stepped up to serve as treasurer for the Caribbean Association and is a member of the men’s volleyball club team. These experiences, he said, contribute to the team-building skills he’s developing in his academics and on the field as a linebacker for the College’s football team.
“In engineering and physics labs, success depends on everyone contributing, communicating clearly, and trusting one another, just like on the football field,” he explained. “Being part of a team has also helped me develop discipline and time management because I have to balance practices, games, and academics.”
Looking ahead to his senior year, Brutus is excited about the remaining opportunities at Gettysburg before he pursues graduate studies in engineering.
“I’m looking to finish my college career off with a bang in terms of having a great football season with our new head coach, Michael Green, and really maximizing every day at Gettysburg,” he said.
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By Michael Vyskocil
Photos provided by Christian Brutus ’27, unless otherwise noted
Posted: 07/20/26