About Sigma Pi Sigma
Guestbook
The WKU Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma now has a Guest Book page. Please feel free to drop in and leave a comment if you are a alumnus of our chapter.
Overview
Sigma Pi Sigma exists:
- to honor outstanding scholarship in physics,
- to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels,
- to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public, and
- to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics.
Founded in 1921, Sigma Pi Sigma is a member honor society of the Association of College Honor Societies. The society has some 75,000 historical members. Election to Sigma Pi Sigma is a lifetime membership.
The Western Kentucky University chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma was established on May 25, 1960. New members are inducted at the end of each academic year at the annual WKU Sigma Pi Sigma Banquet. Currently the WKU Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma has 315 members.
Membership
The requirements for membership in the WKU Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma are:
- the completion of all core curriculum physics courses,
- a minimum GPA of at least 3.30/4.00 in physics courses, and
- an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00/4.00.
Each spring WKU physics majors who have met the above requirements will receive an invitation to join Sigma Pi Sigma and to be inducted into the honor society at the annual banquet.
What Membership in Sigma Pi Sigma Means
Honor
Sigma Pi Sigma is the official honor society of the physics profession. Through election to Sigma Pi Sigma, distinctive achievement and high scholarship in physics is recognized and celebrated.
Encouragement
By honoring high achievement in physics and upholding high standards for election into Sigma Pi Sigma, the Society provides an incentive for all physics students to rise to excellence. The Society also encourages physics interest and science literacy in the general public.
Service
With the recognition of accomplishment comes a responsibility to service. As persons who earned our Sigma Pi Sigma insignia pins by midnight oil, we appreciate the struggles of fellow students and colleagues who are facing similar challenges. When our experience and resources are placed at their service, then Sigma Pi Sigma touches more lives than may be counted by the number of its members. Because we respect the struggle for excellence, we support the generations of students that follow us.
Fellowship
Sigma Pi Sigma members cut across generational lines. The first members were inducted in 1921. New members are added every year. This represents many generations of experience and wisdom that can be brought to bear on matters of common interest to all members.
Sigma Pi Sigma members cut across professional lines. Besides physicists, many members of other professions also enrich our ranks, uniting a diverse group of people who have shared in the culture and traditions of physics, and have demonstrated that they could excel in it.
With this common thread of a shared background in physics running through so rich a diversity of generations and professions, and with the publications and meetings of the Society available for communication instruments, Sigma Pi Sigma nurtures a spirit of professional community among its members, and encourages them to offer their collective wisdom and perspectives in the service of society.
Cost of Membership
Even though the new member pays dues only once, Sigma Pi Sigma membership is for a lifetime. Each new member pays to the National Office an entrance fee of $54.00 at the time of their reception into Sigma Pi Sigma. This fee also includes a one-year membership in the SPS. If already a member of SPS, the Sigma Pi Sigma fee is only $30.00. The fee includes the cost of the official lapel pin, a certificate of membership, and a membership card. There are no annual dues to Sigma Pi Sigma or special assessment other than the original entrance fee. The entrance fee must be paid prior to reception into membership.
Sigma Pi Sigma fees pay a portion of the cost of operations of the society. The remainder comes from SPS dues, alumni contributions, and AIP funds.
Voluntary contributions of Sigma Pi Sigma members fund three annual programs that support undergraduate physics:
- the SPS Scholarship;
- the Marsh White Awards, given to SPS chapters for science outreach projects to the local community; and
- the Sigma Pi Sigma Undergraduate Research Award, which funds SPS chapter research projects.
Benefits of Membership
In addition to the the official lapel pin, certificate of membership and membership card, all members of Sigma Pi Sigma receive complimentary subscriptions to Radiations Magazine, the official publication of Sigma Pi Sigma. Members also receive notice of events through quarterly emails from the Sigma Pi Sigma Director.
