The Annual ΣΠΣ Induction Ceremony Held at CSU

Which “exists 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.” Every year we induct the very top of the current physics class and program’s alumni and friends who have significantly contributed to CSU physics department, to physics scholarship, to physics fellowship, and to physics outreach and service.  We believe that strong ΣΠΣ chapter helps to build bridges between our department, current students, and alumni from different walks of life. While different generations of alumni in multitude of professions, current and retired faculty, and active students might not know each other, they all have a common bond in CSU physics department. This bond creates amazing synergy and atmosphere during the induction ceremony. It not only provokes the exchange of ideas, laughs, and jokes, but also leads to real job opportunities for current students and to service/fellowship opportunities for the alumni, which in turn strengthens our physics department.

Hosted about 60 people (students, alumni, faculty, and administration) and took place in the historic Mather Mansion at CSU. It was the evening of celebration of 2026 student awards and achievements, recognition of honorary alumni who contributed heavily to the department, and induction of 10 new ΣΠΣ members.

Dr. Fodor presented the state of the physics program and some of the recent achievements of the department which included publications with undergraduate students, CSU student admittances to REU and grad schools, and student awards, including the Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award. SPS students and Dr. Streletzky then thanked alumni and friends of the department for their donations. This portion of the evening was followed by recognizing alumni and friends of the department who made significant Giving Day donations to the Physics department. In 2026, the department raised a record amount of money ($4900) that went to Giving Day Physics Scholarship Fund which will support four physics majors during 2026-2027 academic year.

Was dedicated to ΣΠΣ. Here, Dr. Streletzky talked about the mission, history, and four pillars of the ΣΠΣ.This was followed by description of the history of the CSU’s chapter of ΣΠΣ. Previous CSU ΣΠΣ inductees who were present at the ceremony were invited to share their life and career updates with the audience. Many ΣΠΣ members (K. Vandemark, K. Freeman, S. Greene, P. Herron, G. Miller, J. Pitchford, T. Peppard, J. Forester, S. Squires) agreed to participate, and the updates were funny and very heartfelt. During this part of the ceremony, we also recognized three CSU physics faculty members (Drs. J. Bickel, A. Borisov, and T. Heus) who were recently inducted into CSU ΣΠΣ chapter. 

Each inductee was invited to come up to the front of the room to sign the Red Book. Each inductee was gifted a pin, a pen, a membership card that signifies their lifetime membership at ΣΠΣ, and a small gift. Then, following another important CSU tradition, the words of the Charge to the New ΣΠΣ Members were read by our own Dr. Jearl Walker to the entire group of 2026 inductees.