by Caryn Berardi
The UT Dallas chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) was recently recognized as a Distinguished Chapter by the SPS national organization.
This is UT Dallas SPS’ 10th consecutive chapter distinction and one of its 22 national awards and recognitions over the last decade, according to Dr. Jason Slinker, associate professor in the Department of Physics. Slinker has served as chapter advisor for the society since Fall 2011.
The latest award recognizes the club’s achievements over the 2021-22 academic year under the leadership of previous president Victoria (Cat) Catlett, BS ’22, and Brandon Sike, current president and physics senior. They focus on serving the physics community on campus, but membership is open to any students, faculty and staff who are curious about physics.
“Our primary mission is to help physics majors learn and utilize skills they need to be successful in their careers, but we also want to get non-physics majors interested in the field,” Sike said.
There are more than 840 SPS student chapters at colleges and universities across the country. The national organization awards the three chapter distinctions—Notable, Distinguished and Outstanding—based on end-of-year reports campus chapters submit. In these reports, students must illustrate their dedication to campus engagement, community outreach, and summer programs. Chapters are also scored based on participation in national SPS programs and meetings during the school year.
“There is both a scholastic and community nature to SPS,” said Slinker, who was awarded the 2022 Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring.
“We help build interpersonal communication and offer research, leadership and networking opportunities,” he said. “But we also serve and engage people – not just on campus, but in the Dallas area.”
The UTD chapter hosts various workshops and events to foster an interest in physics and help students prepare for graduate school and careers, according to Sike. Programming includes astronomy watch parties with telescopes, trivia nights and guest lectures. Members also have opportunities to attend national conferences and apply for grant funding and scholarships.
In the 2021-22 school year, the UTD inducted three students and a professor into the SPS honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma. It elects members on the basis of outstanding academic achievement.
Slinker is proud of all the club has achieved and says it all comes back to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the city and deepening appreciation for the physics field.
“In 2010, we had physics majors, but outside of class they rarely saw each other,” he said. “This has been a group that brings people together and truly forms a community.”
To learn more about the UT Dallas SPS chapter, contact Dr. Slinker at slinker@utdallas.edu.
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