Sigma Pi Sigma

Honor society for physics and astronomy

Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ), founded at Davidson College on December 11, 1921, is the oldest and only American honor society for physics and astronomy. It is an organization within the Society of Physics Students and the American Institute of Physics and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The society's stated goals are "to honor outstanding scholarship in physics and astronomy; to encourage interest in physics and astronomy among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics and astronomy." It was the first in the United States specifically dedicated to the study of physics.

In 1934, the Third National Convention of Sigma Pi Sigma elected to transition the organization from an academic fraternity to a society, and in 1945, it became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, an accrediting organization for honor societies in the U. S.

Later, in 1968, the American Institute of Physics' student sections and Sigma Pi Sigma merged to create the Society of Physics Students. At present, Sigma Pi Sigma comprises almost 600 constituent chapters. Additionally, undergraduate candidates must complete three semesters of study and three semester physics and/or astronomy courses that can be used to fulfil requirements for a physics and/or astronomy major before they are eligible for membership. Sigma Pi Sigma has elected over a hundred Honorary Members, including Owen Chamberlain, John C. Mather, William D. Phillips, Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Jill Tarter, Carl Wieman, and Robert Ballard. The SPS Executive Committee consists of the Presidents of the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma, the SPS National Office Director, the SPS/Sigma Pi Sigma Historian, an at large member, a student representative, and the CEO of the American Institute of Physics. The president of Sigma Pi Sigma is elected biennially by Sigma Pi Sigma Chapters from a slate of at least two candidates presented by the National Nominating Committee. The term of the president of Sigma Pi Sigma is two years, beginning thirty days after the election is completed or at the beginning of the next annual meeting of the council or at the beginning of the next meeting of the executive committee, whichever occurs first.