Sustaining the Four Pillars: Alumni Gather at the 2025 Congress

This past October, more than 60 Sigma Pi Sigma members gathered at the 2025 Physics and Astronomy Congress to network and to reflect on the society’s pillars. The keynote speech was delivered by one of Sigma Pi Sigma’s newest honorary inductees, K. Renee Horton, who encouraged physicists to boldly take up space at the forefront of society by disseminating knowledge and sharing the wonder of scientific discovery. In attendance were plenary speaker Jocelyn Bell Burnell and longtime SPS donor Jack Hehn, both fellow honorary members who inspired the audience with their presence and support.

As dinner was served, participants from diverse career stages engaged in a guided exercise about the Sigma Pi Sigma pillars, touching on what they mean in practice and how they might be strengthened moving forward. Here are some notes from the activity.

Fellowship is an investment in people, both students and alumni. Members emphasized supporting young scientists and suggested that regional alumni and networking events could coincide with local conferences and events to enhance community and sustain long-term connections.

Service is a responsibility and a learning experience. Through service, members said, one learns the importance of teaching resilience and perseverance. Other members noted the growing need for effective science communication and support for events like the congress.

Honor and scholarship are striving for excellence while uplifting others. Members linked these values to respect, integrity, honesty, and open-mindedness in their professional lives and beyond.

Encouragement often comes from family, professors, and peers who reinforce one’s confidence in overcoming challenges. Members emphasized the power of Sigma Pi Sigma to encourage students, noting that the members can do more to champion and support the next generation of physicists and astronomers.

Across all four pillars, Sigma Pi Sigma members expressed a shared desire for greater activation and recognized the collective impact the society can have in the community