The AppState chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has won an Outstanding Chapter Award from the SPS National Office. This is the third time the chapter has been recognized for its excellence as a top-tier student-led
physical sciences organization, a designation given to fewer than 10 percent of all SPS chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and internationally.
The Society of Physics Students (SPS) is a professional association designed for students and
membership is open to anyone interested in physics and related fields. SPS operates within the
American Institute of Physics (AIP), an umbrella organization for professional physical science
societies.
The SPS chapter at Appalachian State University is advised by Dr. Brooke Hester and Dr. Roshani Silwal and is led by student officers. The 2021-2022 officers are:
Past President Aidan Keaveney
Co President Blake Heckenlaible
Co President Mason Fuller
Treasurer Sophie Hoffmann
Secretary Aydan Gibbs
Art and Advertising Director Jayne Hinson
“The Outstanding Chapter Award is the highest honor an SPS chapter can receive from the organization, awarded to just 15% of chapters nationwide. We are honored to have received this award for the third consecutive year.” - Aidan Keaveney
Aidan Keaveney also serves as the Associate Zone Councilor for North and South Carolina, an elected position in which he represents all students with an interest in physics on the SPS National Council and the SPS Executive Committee.
SPS chapters are evaluated on their level of interaction with the campus community, the
professional physics community, the public, and with SPS national programs. The Outstanding
Chapter Award recognizes high levels of outreach as well as unique approaches to fulfilling the
mission of SPS to “help students transform themselves into contributing members of the
professional community.”
The Appalachian State University SPS chapter was recognized as outstanding for its efforts including hosting an annual departmental Undergraduate Research Opportunities Fair, giving numerous physics demonstration shows to K-12 students in Western North Carolina, and organizing a Students vs. Faculty trivia night.
Student-Led Physical Sciences Organization is Honored with Award from the National Office of the Society of Physics Students as an Outstanding Chapter
AppState Physics Students Win National Recognition