In January, long-time SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma leader Earl Blodgett be­came the new interim director of the two societies. Blodgett has served on the SPS Council for 25 years, including two terms as SPS president. He has been the SPS historian since 2009, became an Honorary Member of Sigma Pi Sigma in 2016, and was awarded the Worth Seagondollar Service Award in recognition of his exemplary level of commitment and service to SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma in 2019.

Blodgett earned a PhD in physics from Washington University in Saint Louis, where he studied ultrasonic wave propagation. After graduating, Blodgett returned to his undergraduate institution, the University of Wisconsin - River Falls (UW River Falls), and he spent his academic career teaching, researching ultrasonics and physics education, mentoring students, and advising the dynamic SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma chapters there. He also served as program director for STEMteach, a postbaccalaureate program in which people with STEM degrees can earn a teaching license in one year. After more than 35 years at UW River Falls, Blodgett retired in 2023.

Rachel Ivie, interim director for the fall of 2023, is now director of higher education programs and grants at the American Association of Physics Teachers. “I am very grateful for Rachel Ivie keeping our societies on track during her time as interim director,” says Blodgett. “I am very passionate about SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma, and I promise that I will continue
to keep us moving forward as we com-plete our leadership transition in the coming months.”  

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