JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 20, 2017 — 51社区鈥檚 chapter of the Society of Physics Students received recognition as a distinguished chapter for the 2016-17 year. The award is given by the American Institute of Physics each year.
Union鈥檚 chapter was recognized for having a strong focus on community, which makes the club more attractive to more students, according to the announcement letter.
Fonsie Guilaran, professor of physics and one of the professors who leads the SPS chapter, said the students in the Union chapter do a great job of bringing their love of physics to the broader campus community.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e a vibrant community of physics-interested students who serve and enjoy geeking out about physics in various ways with the ultimate goal to bring honor and glory to God,鈥� Guilaran said.
One of the chapter鈥檚 most prominent annual events is a celebration of Pi Day (March 14, or 3.14), where the students ice cupcakes with the digits of pi and display them in the hallway. Other regular events include service projects, trips to other universities to attend lectures and partnering with chemistry students for a fire and lights science show.
The Society of Physics students is open to students from any major. The president for the 2016-17 year was a chemistry student, Ben Pinkley, who has a passion for physics.
鈥淎 lot of the credit for this award goes to Ben,鈥� said David Ward, a professor of physics who also helps lead the SPS chapter. 鈥淗e was focused and energetic on keeping the chapter active and involved on campus.鈥�
Ward said one of the goals of a group like SPS is to foster student leadership, and Pinkley is an example of that.
Union鈥檚 SPS chapter previously received the distinguished chapter award in 2005 and has received a notable chapter award several years, most recently in 2014.