Another Top Chapter Honor for SPS
They painted pumpkins and hiked in the mountains; celebrated a national birthday and threw a bash for the entire department. For the ninth time in 10 years, UT's Society of Physics Students (SPS) earned Outstanding Chapter honors for their hard work and contagious enthusiasm. They learned in December they were among only 86 of 844 chapters nationwide who won this distinction for the 2021-22 academic year.
William Greene served as secretary on last year's executive board and is the current chapter president. He credits SPS with giving him a sense of place at UT and volunteers his time to help the organization thrive.
"SPS at the University of Tennessee has really helped me feel at home as a physics major in our department," he said. "I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to help our chapter get the national recognition it deserves."
That acknowledgment came after a busy year for these enterprising undergraduates. They hosted a Halloween party where they showcased their pumpkin decorating skills, threw a party to celebrate the national SPS centennial, hiked to Grotto Falls in the Smokies, and attended the annual SPS zone meeting in Kentucky. The group is eager to keep that momentum going.
"SPS is my favorite thing about going to UT," said Luke Carpenter, a senior physics major. "I think it really strengthens our physics community and provides a wealth of opportunities for research and engagement. I know we do great work, and I'm excited to continue that in the future!"
Assistant Professor Maxim Lavrentovich is the group's faculty sponsor. In December he got word from the national organization that UT's SPS chapter was again selected as among the best in the country. This was no surprise, as he's seen firsthand how the students support not only one another, but the department (and the field) as a whole.
"I would say that the most important function of the SPS has been connecting undergraduates to the broader physics community, both within UT and externally, including representing our department at PhysCon and SESAPS (Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society) meetings," he said.
Among his favorite events was an inaugural end-of-year celebration.
UT's SPS won funding for, organized, and hosted a soiree for the entire physics department in the spring of 2022.
"It was a wonderful dinner with many speakers and surprises, including a magic show," Lavrentovich explained. "They made everyone feel welcome, including the graduate students and professors. I especially liked the 'awards' that all attendees received, highlighting some aspect of their personality. I thought this event made everyone feel seen and appreciated."
Gage Erwin was chapter treasurer last year and is now UT's SPS vice president. He has an eye on recreating that camaraderie.
"I am glad I was a part of our chapter last year and helped with us getting recognized," he said. "The banquet was definitely big in itself; surely that deserves the most praise. We managed to bring a big portion of the physics community together and we certainly plan to do it again!"
Back to Cross Sections, Spring 2023