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." All college students with an interest in physics or astronomy are invited to join SPS, with the majority of students coming from majors in the natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. The organization was formed in 1968 through a union of the student sections of AIP and the chapters of honor Society Sigma Pi Sigma and the American Institute of Physics.
National organization
SPS is governed by an elected council 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 electing a student and faculty member to serve. 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). The directors of the organization, a salaried professional designated by as the Executive Administrative Officer of the Society have included:
+Past Directors of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma include:NameTenureErin Lavik2026Earl Blodget2026Alejandro de la Puenta2024-2026Earl Blodgett2024Rachel Ivie2023-2024Brad R. Conrad2016-2023Sean Bently2015-2016Toni Sauncy2012-2015Gary White2001-2012Dwight Neuwenswander1995-2000John Rigden1994-1995Donald Kirwin1988-1994Dion W. J. Shea1970-1987Cecil Shugart1968-1970 +Past Presidents of SPS include:NameUniversityYears of serviceVincent E. ParkerPoly Pomona1968–1971Stanley BallardUniversity of Florida1971–1973Leroy HumphriesMcMurry College1973–1977Hla ShweEast Stroudsburg State College1977–1981William EidsonDrexel University1981–1985Ray AskewAuburn University1985–1989Gary AginMichigan Technological University1989–1991Jean KrischUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor1991–1993Fred DomannUniversity of Wisconsin - Platteville1993–1995Robert Fenstermacher Drew University1995–1999Gary WhiteNorthwestern State University of Louisiana1999–2001Karen WilliamsEast Central University2001–2005Earl BlodgettUniversity of Wisconsin - River Falls2005–2009Toni SauncyAngelo State University2009–2012Dave DonnellyTexas State University - San Marcos2012–2013DJ WagnerGrove City College2013-2017Alina Gearba-SellUS Air Force Academy2017-2021Kiril StreletzkyCleveland State University2021-2025Ron 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 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 Saint Paul, 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.
To promote these goals, SPS allows students to take part in professional membership societies, receive peer-reviewed journals, present and publish research, obtain scholarships, and receive awards as incentives for excellent performance. Further, SPS supports several publications, including the quarterly magazine The SPS Observer. and SPS members stay involved with public science issues, education, and outreach.
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.
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.
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.
References
External links SPS National Website Adopt a Physicist SPS U.Platt. National Award ACU SPS Award SPS observer JURP SPS Jobs Radiations Magazine