Society of Physics Students

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Society of Physics Students
AbbreviationSPS
Formation1968
PurposeTo help students become members of the professional community and develop skills important in the career of the student.
Website http://www.spsnational.org/

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association with international participation, granting membership through college chapters with the only requirement that the student member be interested in physics and astronomy. [1] All college students with an interest in physics or astronomy are welcome to join SPS, but the highest representation tends to come from majors in the natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. [2] The organization was formed in 1968 through a untion of the student sections of AIP and the chapters of honor Society Sigma Pi Sigma and the American Institute of Physics [3] .

Contents

National organization

SPS is governed by an elected council and and an executive committee. Together, these groups lead and govern the policies of both SPS, and the associated honors society for Physics and Astronomy, Sigma Pi Sigma. The SPS council is made up of 18 geographic zones, with each zone electiung a student and faculty member to serve [4] . Each zone represents a section of world, primarily focused on North America, and is represented by a faculty zone councilor and a student associate councilor. Both councilors and associate councilors lead zone activities, support chapters within their zone, and in the annual policy-making meeting of the council. The executive committee consists of the presidents of the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma, the SPS office director, the SPS/Sigma Pi Sigma historian, an appointed at-large member, an elected student representative, and the CEO of the American Institute of Physics. The director is supported by additional staff of the American Institute of Physics (AIP). [5] The directors of the organization, a salaried professional designated by as the Executive Administrative Officer of the Society [6] have included:

Past Directors of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma include:
NameTenure
Earl Blodget2026-Present
Alejandro de la Puenta2024-2026
Earl Blodgett2024
Rachel Ivie2023-2024
Brad R. Conrad2016-2023
Sean Bently2015-2016
Toni2012-2015
Gary White2001-2012
Dwight Neuwenswander1995-2001
Past Presidents of SPS include:
NameUniversityYears of service
Vincent E. ParkerPoly Pomona1968–1971
Stanley BallardUniversity of Florida1971–1973
Leroy HumphriesMcMurry College1973–1977
Hla ShweEast Stroudsburg State College1977–1981
William EidsonDrexel University1981–1985
Ray AskewAuburn University1985–1989
Gary AginMichigan Technological University1989–1991
Jean KrischUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor1991–1993
Fred DomannUniversity of Wisconsin - Platteville1993–1995
Robert FenstermacherDrew University1995–1999
Gary WhiteNorthwestern State University of Louisiana1999–2001
Karen WilliamsEast Central University2001–2005
Earl BlodgettUniversity of Wisconsin - River Falls2005–2009
Toni SauncyAngelo State University2009–2012
Dave DonnellyTexas State University - San Marcos2012–2013
DJ WagnerGrove City College2013-2017
Alina Gearba-SellUS Air Force Academy2017-2021
Kiril StreletzkyCleveland State University2021-2025
Ron KumonKettering University2025-2027

SPS Congress (SPScon)

The Society of Physics Students started a national meeting of undergraduate physics students early in its history, the meeting was scheduled to take place every four years, starting in 1928 [7] and in 2025 the 18th congress took place. By that time, the frequency of the event had been changed to every three years. The next SPScon will occur in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2028.

Programs and activities

SPS strives to shape students into contributing members of the professional scientific community with the philosophy that since college courses only develop a particular range of skills in a student, it is important to develop other skills. [8]

To promote these goals, SPS allows students to take part in professional membership societies, [9] receive peer-reviewed journals, present and publish research, [10] [11] obtain scholarships, [12] and receive awards as incentives for excellent performance. [13] Further, SPS supports several publications, including the quarterly magazine The SPS Observer. [14] and SPS members stay involved with public science issues, education, and outreach. [15] [16] [17]

Internships

SPS administers an Internship Program, which offers select SPS members broad based learning opportunities with various organizations in science policy, communication, physics outreach, and scientific research for 9.5 weeks in Washington D.C. [18]

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma is a partner in the AIP Career Network, a collection of online job sites for scientists, engineers, and computing professionals. [19]

Publications

SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor society, publish several resources for students and alumni, including the quarterly SPS Observer and the online Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics.

Radiations Magazine is published by Sigma Pi Sigma twice a year in print. [20]

References

  1. ↑ "About SPS". Society of Physics Students. Retrieved July 16, 2013."
  2. ↑ "About AIP". American Institute of Physics. Archived from the original on July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  3. ↑ "The History of Sigma Pi Sigma". STUDENTS. April 3, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Chapters". STUDENTS. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  5. ↑ "AIP Education Division" . Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ "SPS National Office". Society of Physics Students. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Congress History". STUDENTS. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
  8. ↑ "SPS Mission and Membership Info". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Free Membership with One AIP Member Society". spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Presenting research at professional society meetings through SPS". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Journal of Undergraduate Research in Physics". Jurp.org. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  12. ↑ "SPS Scholarships". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  13. ↑ "SPS Awards". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ "SPS Publications". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Nobel Laureate Supports Congressional Internships for Physics Undergraduates". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Student Perspectives at National Physics Meetings". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  17. ↑ "The Fabric of the Cosmos". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  18. ↑ "SPS Internships". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ "SPS Jobs". Society of Physics Students, www.spsnational.org.
  20. ↑ "Radiations magazine". Society of Physics Students. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
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