Louisiana Tech helps in discovery of "God Particle" - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

By Victoria Shirley

MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News)- A new particle was discovered that could explain the creation of the universe and why matter has mass. Scientists declared Wednesday they found evidence of the "Higgs Boson" or what some are calling "the God particle."

It could be the most important discovery of the century and Louisiana Tech University played a part. Louisiana Tech is the only university in the state that had a hand in this discovery. Dr. Lee Sawyer is the director of Chemistry and Physics at Louisiana Tech.

Sawyer was in Geneva, Switzerland just last week where scientists were on the brink of discovery. "I'm part of that group, I was on shift, during the last few weeks when the last data went into this analysis, that really put us at the edge of discovery." said Sawyer.

For years, Sawyer and two other faculty members have led a team that looks over the quality of data for Geneva analysts and Sawyer says playing a role, makes him feel like a witness to history. "I literally have goose bumps telling you about it." said Sawyer and those that lent a hand to the professor agree.

"It is by far the most exciting experiences I've had so far." said one graduate student. "I'm very happy and excited to be a part of this big organization." said another undergraduate student.

This scientist wants the public to be proud of Louisiana Tech and the role it played in making history...history Sawyer says, as a college student, he would have never predicted being a part of. "For a kid from West Monroe to go rub shoulders with Nobel peace prize winners, to lead my own research group, it's enormous thrill, it's humbling."

Scientists say it will be years before a practical application of this discovery is known.