GW Hosts 2022 Physics Congress

CCAS Physics Department welcomed more than 1,200 students and Nobel laureates.

October 10, 2022

Physics students and faculty from George Washington and Howard University in discussion during one of PhyCon’s many workshops and breakout sessions. (Alexander van der Horst)

The George Washington University Department of Physics and the GW chapter of the Society of Physics Students were the local hosts this year of PhysCon (Physics Congress), the largest conference for physics and astronomy undergraduate students in the nation, with more than 1,200 participants.

The three-day event, held last week at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in D.C., featured international professional development workshops, a career and graduate fair and panel discussions with some of the top physicists in the field, including Nobel Prize laureates Eric Cornell and John Mather.

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies Rachel Riedner delivered the opening remarks, and 10 physics faculty members and 30 undergraduate and graduate student volunteers from GW helped organize and assist with event activities.

“The GW Physics Department was very honored to be the local host,” said Physics Director of Undergraduate Studies Professor Alexander van der Horst. “It was wonderful to showcase GW to all those young scientists and see them share their passion for physics and astronomy with each other.”

GW student & faculty volunteers at the Physics & Astronomy Centennial Festival. (Brad Conrad)

Hundreds of students from across the U.S. enjoyed the High Energy Hot Chocolate Demo & Game Night in GW’s Corcoran Hall. (Evangeline Downie)

Students having fun with GW’s giant spandex gravitational well at the Physics & Astronomy Centennial Festival. (Alexander van der Horst)

GW Physics Professor Gary White received the 2022 Sigma Pi Sigma Worth Seagondollar Service Award for his many contributions to the Society of Physics Students and Sigma Pi Sigma at a local, regional, and national level. (Alexander van der Horst)

GW students Gabe Grauvogel and Phoenix Price kicking off the High Energy Hot Chocolate Demo & Game Night with physics demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen. (Alexander van der Horst)

PhyCon’s distinguished speakers included, left to right, President of the American Physical Society Jim Gates, Nobel Price laureate Eric Cornell, the discoverer of pulsars Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and Nobel Prize laureate John Mather. (Kate Woods)

Rachel Riedner, CCAS Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, delivered the welcoming remarks. (Kate Woods)