SWOSU Physics Banquet Celebrates Student Achievements

5-26

May 1, 2024

SWOSU Press Release

The 2024 Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Physics Banquet was hosted on April 27 at the Stafford Air & Space Museum, with over 50 guests in attendance. Attendees arriving early had the opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits before dinner.

The awards ceremony featured the induction of two new members into the SWOSU chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the national Physics Honor Society. Several awards were presented, and the achievements of students were recognized, including the awarding of scholarships to ten recipients for the 2024–2025 academic year.

The honorees for the evening included the following students:

    • Andres Arrieta: Senior; Weatherford, OK; Distinguished Service Award; Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Graduate.
    • Isaac Martyn: Junior; Weatherford, OK; Sigma Pi Sigma Induction; JR Pratt Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Clinton Lloyd: Freshman; Weatherford, OK; McClelland Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Bryce Lagunas: Sophomore; Sayre, OK; Outstanding New Physics Club Member.
    • Austin Jones: Freshman; Elk City, OK; Benny J. Hill Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Cody Conrady: Junior; Canton, OK; Ray C. Jones Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Gunner Snowden: Junior; Calumet, OK; Benny J. Hill Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Jonathon Barrett: Freshman; Anadarko, OK; Benny J. Hill Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Mason Hart: Senior; Enid, OK; Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Graduate; Graduating with Honors; J.R. Pratt Award for Outstanding Student in Physics.
    • Benjamin Smith: Senior; Edmond, OK; SWOSU Distinguished Student Award; Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Graduate; Graduating with Honors; J.R. Pratt Award for Outstanding Student in Physics.
    • Tristen Fleck: Freshman; Blanchard, OK; J.R. Pratt Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Tess Tracy: Junior; Stillwater, OK; J.R. Pratt Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Ethan Layman: Freshman; Spearman, TX; Garabed Armoudian Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000.
    • Geoffrey Marlow: Senior; Flower Mound, TX; Sigma Pi Sigma Induction; SWOSU Distinguished Student Award; Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Graduate; Graduating with Honors; J.R. Pratt Award for Outstanding Student in Physics.
    • Christopher Svebek: Junior; Siloam Spring, AR; J.R. Pratt Scholarship, $1,000; OSRHE STEM Workforce Development Scholarship, $1,000; Leadership Award.

Dr. Wayne Trail, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Physics and club sponsor for the Rocket Dawgs, provided updates on the students’ extracurricular activities, highlighting the Rocket Dawgs’ third consecutive victory in the Argonia Cup, an annual rocketry competition. SWOSU President Diana Lovell expressed her support for the program and the university’s rocketry team.

The awards banquet concluded with an address by 2014 SWOSU alumnus Tyler Overton, who now has a career at Texas Instruments. During his time at SWOSU, Overton studied Engineering Physics and played baseball. He shared insights into the field of semiconductors in his talk, “Semiconductors—An overview of transistors, component isolation problems, and problems along the way.” He also provided advice for students entering the workforce. Overton emphasized the importance of practical experience and problem-solving skills in the industry, ending with personal advice on maintaining mental and physical well-being for a fulfilling life.

SWOSU congratulates all student awardees and looks forward to their continued success in the field of physics and beyond.

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