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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.
Websitehttp://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 invited to join SPS, with the majority of students coming from majors in the natural sciences, engineering, and medicine.[2] 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[3].

National organization

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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[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:
Name Tenure
Earl Blodget 2026-Present
Alejandro de la Puenta 2024-2026
Earl Blodgett 2024
Rachel Ivie 2023-2024
Brad R. Conrad 2016-2023
Sean Bently 2015-2016
Toni Sauncy 2012-2015
Gary White 2001-2012
Dwight Neuwenswander 1995-2001
Past Presidents of SPS include:
Name University Years of service
Vincent E. Parker Poly Pomona 1968–1971
Stanley Ballard University of Florida 1971–1973
Leroy Humphries McMurry College 1973–1977
Hla Shwe East Stroudsburg State College 1977–1981
William Eidson Drexel University 1981–1985
Ray Askew Auburn University 1985–1989
Gary Agin Michigan Technological University 1989–1991
Jean Krisch University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 1991–1993
Fred Domann University of Wisconsin - Platteville 1993–1995
Robert Fenstermacher Drew University 1995–1999
Gary White Northwestern State University of Louisiana 1999–2001
Karen Williams East Central University 2001–2005
Earl Blodgett University of Wisconsin - River Falls 2005–2009
Toni Sauncy Angelo State University 2009–2012
Dave Donnelly Texas State University - San Marcos 2012–2013
DJ Wagner Grove City College 2013-2017
Alina Gearba-Sell US Air Force Academy 2017-2021
Kiril Streletzky Cleveland State University 2021-2025
Ron Kumon Kettering University 2025-2027

SPS Congress (SPScon)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  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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