On December 15, 2023 Dr. Streletzky received notice that CSU’s Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter was granted the designation of an Outstanding SPS Chapter for the 2022-2023. Only 15% of SPS chapters nation-wide receive this honor! This was the 14^th consecutive Outstanding SPS Chapter designation for CSU’s SPS chapter.

2023 was a busy year for our SPS chapter which involved many regular events (https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/physics/sps-schedule-events) such as LN2 Ice Cream parties, Spring Physics Jeopardy, Fall Physics Olympics, mini presentations by CSU faculty who do research with undergraduates, and participation of SPS in the Spring Physics Day. In addition, our chapter had several special events and trips. In particular, with CSU hosting the combined American Physical Society’s Easter Great Lakes Section, Society of Physics Students Zone 7 Meeting, and the Ohio Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers conferences, CSU’s SPS chapter were instrumental in event set-up, organizing many events of the conference, playing host to a wide variety of visitors, including more than 52 undergraduates from 11 SPS chapters from the SPS Zone 7, all while leading events and presenting their own research (check here for the Zone meeting report: https://www.spsnational.org/meetings/meeting-notes/sps-zone-7-meeting-1)!

The 2023 Sigma Pi Sigma Induction on Mar 31 celebrated CSU Chapter Alumni as well as current members. Additionally, Dr. Jearl Walker received the Honorary Sigma Pi Sigma membership, a special honor given only to those who exemplify the four pillars of the Sigma Pi Sigma (Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship), and contributed to the advancement of Physics at a National Level.  For details see: https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/news/2023-%CF%83%CF%80%CF%83-induction-ceremony-and-special-bestowing-honorary-%CF%83%CF%80%CF%83-membership-jearl-walker.

As far as Encouragement and Service goes, CSU’s chapter works to bring the joy of physics to students of all ages. In May of 2023, several chapter members along with SPS Alumni James Pitchford when to Bath Elementary to put on demonstrations showing that Physics exists in our everyday world, if you take the time to recognize it! The students at bath later sent letters thanking the chapter for the fantastic event (https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/news/physics-students-bring-fun).

Together with several CSU faculty, and alumni, several members of the CSU chapter went to the 2023 APS March Meeting (https://artsandsciences.csuohio.edu/news/sizable-representation-csu-physics-2023-aps-march-meeting). There they were able to connect with students from around the country and present their own studies and research. Current Chapter President Patrick Herron would go on to be awarded the Best Presentation Award in the undergraduate research session.

Finally, our chapter applied for and received 2024 Marsh White award for the SPS outreach project “Outreach Totality: Eclipse based Outreach-Teaching Experience”. In this project, members of the CSU’s SPS chapter will first teach high school students from the Hathaway Brown school how to perform Solar Eclipse demonstrations to younger Hathaway Brown students and general public. In the later stages of the project, SPS outreach team will assist Hathaway Brown students in conducting Eclipse Outreach event at 5 locations of the Cleveland Public Library.      

Looking towards the future, 2024 is promising to be more of the same, with the Special opportunity afforded to CSU students being in the Totality of April’s Eclipse, several students confirmed attendance at the 2024 APS March Meeting, SPS eclipse outreach events at the Cleveland Public Library branches supported by Marsh White award, and 2024 Sigma Pi Sigma Induction ceremony it looks to be another exciting year for the SPS!