UT SPS Chapter Wins National Awards

June 3, 2004

The UT Chapter of the Society of Physics Students has won two awards from the national organization.

They were among the four chapters honored with the Blake Lilly Award, specifically for their work on "Detection of Cosmic Rays in East Tennessee." The award "recognizes SPS chapters and individuals who make a genuine effort to positively influence the attitudes of school children and the general public about physics." Other chapter winners were The University of Louisvillle, Marquette University and St. Mary's University.

Olga Ovchinnikov was one of two recipients of the 2004 SPS Outstanding Student Award for Undergraduate Research. She was recognized for her project on "Negative Ions of Bucky-Dumbbells," work she has done under Dr. Robert Compton. Bradley M. Deutsch of Rollins College was the other winner. Olga receives a $500 honorarium and a $500 award for the UT SPS Chapter.

For a full list of honors, consult the national SPS Web site at: http://www.spsnational.org/programs/programs.htm.