McMurry University Physics Students Win National Recognition for Second Year

(Abilene, TX – December 16, 2020) The McMurry University chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been awarded a Distinguished Chapter Award from the SPS National Office. This is the second time in two years the chapter has been recognized for its excellence as a top-tier student-led physical sciences organization, a designation given to fewer than 15 percent of all SPS chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and internationally.

“We at the SPS National Office want to take this opportunity to commend and applaud you for your tireless efforts to enrich the SPS community. It is because of your dedication and commitment to the SPS mission and vision that we are able to foster such a strong SPS community. The National Council has reviewed all chapter reports and has awarded the McMurry University SPS Chapter as a 2019-2020 Distinguished Chapter,” stated an email from the SPS earlier this week.

The 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.

Dr. Tikhon Bykov advises McMurry’s SPS chapter. “I would like to recognize our chapter’s student leadership team Joseph Watson, SPS president; Jonathan Samudio, SPS vice-president; Austin Bridwell, SPS treasurer; Jessy Villagomez, SPS secretary for all their hard work in making this recognition possible. I am also grateful to the physics faculty Dr. Wayne Keith and Dr. Timothy Renfro for their continuous support of our students,” said Bykov.

This recognition is a high honor for McMurry and for science achievement at the higher education level in the state of Texas.

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.

This is the second year that the McMurry University SPS chapter was honored with an award, receiving an “Outstanding Chapter” last year. In 2018, McMurry was recognized for its outstanding efforts in a number of areas, including student trips and academic conference participation, student-alumni interactions, and the student-led Cassini Memorial project.

McMurry University is committed to excellence in STEM education and continues to support and encourage students through club activities. In 2022, the University will offer a new degree in Physics Engineering as the result of a second Title V grant.

“I’m proud that McMurry physics continues to distinguish our program through academic excellence in action,” said Dr. Matthew Draud, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty.