The Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been honored with the 2022-23 Outstanding Chapter Award from the SPS national office, marking their seventh consecutive win. This recognition places the A&M-Commerce chapter among the top-tier student-led physical sciences organizations, a distinction awarded to fewer than 10 percent of SPS chapters nationwide and internationally.
SPS, a professional association for students, offers membership to anyone interested in physics and related fields. Operating under the American Institute of Physics, the organization serves as an umbrella for professional physical science societies.
Drs. Bahar Modir and Kurtis Williams served as advisors to the A&M-Commerce chapter, which boasted a leadership team for the 2022-2023 academic year:
- James Hirons, '23, Physics and Mathematics
- Zorayda Martinez, '23, Physics and Mathematics
- Makayla Teer, '24, Physics
- Ryan Rodriguez, '25, Mathematics and Physics
Dr. Kurtis Williams, interim head of the department, expressed his admiration, stating, "Year after year, this student-led organization continues to astound me. To be awarded this recognition by the national office seven years in a row is an amazing testament to the quality, leadership, and dedication of physics students at A&M-Commerce."
Evaluation criteria for SPS chapters include engagement with the campus community, the professional physics community, the public, and participation in SPS national programs. The Outstanding Chapter Award acknowledges exceptional outreach and innovative approaches aligning with SPS's mission to "help students transform themselves into contributing members of the professional community."
Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, the A&M-Commerce SPS chapter maintained its commitment to outreach. Activities included leading group activities and career discussions for visiting high school students during the department's bi-annual Physics Days. Additionally, members provided tutoring for introductory physics and astronomy classes. In Spring 2023, the chapter hosted SPS chapters from across Texas for the annual SPS Zone 13 Meeting. Looking ahead, the A&M-Commerce SPS chapter will play a vital role in facilitating a safe viewing experience for students during the total solar eclipse in Commerce on April 8, 2024, as part of a university-wide celebration of this rare celestial event.
