The only national physics honor society was founded as a local honor organization at Davidson College, North Carolina, on December 11, 1921. The local society was so successful that a movement for nationalization was started in 1925. Soon chapters were installed at Duke University the The Pennsylvania State University. By 1968 there were 170 chapters. On April 22, 1968, Sigma Pi Sigma joined with the AIP Student Sections to form the Society of Physics Students. It continues to operate as a fully recognized honor society within the SPS, a unique arrangement in student organizations. The society is national in scope with chapters located at colleges and universities across the country. Over 370 of the 550 SPS chapters now include an active Sigma Pi Sigma chapter. The total membership is more than 58,000, of whom about 2,500 are members of the active chapters and the remaining are alumni members.
E-Mail: sps@dhvx20.csudh.edu