Stony Brook University’s Society of Physics Students (SPS) Wins National Recognition for the Fourth Consecutive Year

STONY BROOK, NY-February 13, 2026-The State University of New York at Stony Brook's (Stony Brook University) Society of Physics Students from the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences has been named as a 2024-2025 Outstanding Chapter Award winner by its parent organization, the National Council of Society of Physics Students (SPS) for the fourth consecutive year.

The SPS serves as the governing body for the SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma (physics honor society), providing leadership, strategic direction, and support for over 800 chapters, primarily through the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the umbrella organization for professional physical science societies. It is a professional association designed for students and SPS membership is open to anyone interested in physics and related fields.

SPS Outstanding Chapter Awards are determined each academic year after a careful review of the information, photos and supporting material presented in the annual SPS Chapter Reports. The reviewers include a team of four SPS National Council members, including Zone Councilors and Associate Zone Councilors, as well as the SPS office staff.

The criteria for SPS Chapter recognition includes:

• The chapter's involvement in local, zone and national SPS meetings and other professional meetings
• Participation in SPS programs
• Outreach efforts to the grades K-12 or the general public
• Participation in community service
• Contributions to student recruitment and retention
• Participation in social events, and
• Interactions with the department's alumni

"One of the greatest pleasures I have as the chair of the department is seeing a tremendous growth in our undergraduate program that is exemplified by the SPS, which has strengthened our undergrads' connection to the department, sense of community and research involvement," said Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. "I find the SPS is super well organized and is always full of positive energy. So, I am not surprised that it is recognized again as an outstanding chapter. Congratulations once again to the SPS members. We are very proud of everything they continue to accomplish!"

"In line with the national office's goals, our chapter focuses on fostering interest for physics in undergraduates and the wider community," said Stony Brook SPS President James Cross. "Recognition from the National Council is an important sign that our efforts are continuing to make a difference and that we're pulling in the right direction."

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About the State University of New York at Stony Brook (Stony Brook University)

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is New York's flagship university and No. 1 public university. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. With more than 27,000 students, more than 3,000 faculty members, more than 225,000 alumni, a premier academic healthcare system and 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs, Stony Brook is a research-intensive distinguished center of innovation dedicated to addressing the world's biggest challenges. The university embraces its mission to provide comprehensive undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality, and is ranked as the #59 overall university and #26 among public universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges listing. Fostering a commitment to academic research and intellectual endeavors, Stony Brook's membership in the Association of American Universities (AAU) places it among the top 71 research institutions in North America. The university's distinguished faculty have earned esteemed awards such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Indianapolis Prize for animal conservation, Abel Prize, Fields Medal and Breakthrough Prizes in Mathematics and Physics. Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy - one of only eight universities with a role in running a national laboratory. In 2023, Stony Brook was named the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. Providing economic growth for neighboring communities and the wider geographic region, the university totals an impressive $8.93 billion in increased economic output on Long Island. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/ and X@stonybrooku.