The Lifeline of Physics: How SPS Carries Students Through Uncertainty
Jordan Hewins, Former SPS President, Valdosta State University
If we lose our physics programs, we risk dimming the very flame that has illuminated human progress since the dawn of science itself. - Jordan Hewins, former Valdosta State University SPS chapter President
Jordan Hewins always dreamed of becoming a physicist. Valdosta State University seemed like the perfect place to pursue that dream — it was affordable, close to home, and offered degrees in both physics and astronomy. Jordan quickly found a home in the Society of Physics Students, where he built friendships, gained mentors, and eventually became chapter president.
But in 2024, everything changed for Jordan. VSU announced it would deactivate its physics, astronomy, and mathematics programs. Students suddenly faced a future of uncertainty. Some had to switch majors. Others transferred. All were left wondering what would happen to the dreams that first brought them to campus.
In the middle of that turmoil, one thing held steady: the support of SPS.
Through it all, SPS became the lifeline. When morale was low, the chapter gave students more than a place to meet — it gave them hope. Under Jordan’s leadership, SPS rallied students together. They met with university leaders, organized their peers, and even hosted the Zone 6 SPS Conference under a powerful theme: “Program Deactivations and Student Resilience.”
For Jordan, the support of SPS was proof that physics education is about more than coursework. It’s about building community, learning to lead, and finding resilience in the face of setbacks. “Physics and astronomy already teach the skills employers prize most — problem-solving, data analysis, collaboration,” he reflected in The SPS Observer. “But in this moment, SPS showed us those lessons in action.”
This is what SPS does best. It empowers undergraduates to keep moving forward, even when programs are cut and doors close. It ensures that students like Jordan still have mentors, connections, and opportunities to belong — and to thrive.
