RAPID CITY, SD – For years, Michael Dowding, senior lecturer in the physics department at South Dakota Mines, has inspired and mentored countless students both inside and outside the classroom. Now, that dedication has earned him national recognition from the Society of Physics Students.

Dowding has received the 2026 Outstanding SPS Chapter Advisor Award, the organization’s most prestigious award. He was also a finalist for the award in 2019.

SPS is a professional association designed specifically for students and their advisers, helping students become contributing members of the professional community. Membership in the collegiate chapters is open to anyone interested in the physical sciences. Aside from physics majors, the Mines chapter includes students in a variety of other majors, including astronomy, chemistry, computer science and engineering. 

“Having had the pleasure of advising SPS chapters, I can truly say I am impressed by the depth and personal nature of the comments in your support letters,” said Earl Blodgett, Ph.D., the interim director for SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma. 

According to his nomination, Dowding represents the best of what advising can achieve. “Through sustained commitment, thoughtful mentorship, and a genuine passion for student development, Mr. Dowding has created an SPS chapter that not only enriches the undergraduate experience but also helps shape the next generation of the workforce,” his nomination said.

The nominators also added, “Through his unwavering logistical and financial support, his dedication to our professional development, and his genuine care for our community, he empowers us to grow not just as physics students but as future leaders in the scientific community.”

Dowding began serving as the university’s SPS advisor in 2013, helping to create a recognized chapter at Mines. With the department’s growth, physics majors wanted an official chapter to better participate in and network with other physics students and organizations around the world. 

He is humbled and honored by the recognition, adding that it is as much an honor for the students. “There are generations of student members from our campus chapter that have been building an organization from the ground up to one that now receives national recognition for their efforts,” he said.

The Mines SPS chapter has a history of national recognition. For eight consecutive years, the Mines SPS student chapter received the Outstanding Chapter Award, a designation awarded to fewer than 10 percent of all SPS chapters in the United States and internationally. In 2016, the chapter also received a Distinguished Chapter Award. 

The organization’s success is rooted in a three-tier mission focused on the chapter, the department and the broader community. Members hold monthly meetings and informal gatherings, from study sessions to game nights, to strengthen relationships, host socials with physics staff, faculty and other campus departments, and participate in educational outreach and community service projects, including the annual Neutrino Days at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead.

At the center of it all is Dowding, whose hands-on involvement has become a defining part of the chapter’s culture.

“As an advisor, I don’t want to be someone who just shows up for meetings or signs off on paperwork,” Dowding said. “I share ideas and recommendations for activities, help guide them through the rules and make myself available to work alongside them in everything they do.”

Dowding will receive the award during the American Association of Physics Teachers annual meeting this July in Pasadena, Calif. The honor also includes $6,000 for the South Dakota Mines SPS organization and physics department.

South Dakota Mines Invites Students to Explore STEM Through Summer Camps 

High school students and recent graduates are invited to spend their summer exploring science, technology, engineering and mathematics at South Dakota Mines summer STEM camps.

Designed to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning, the variety of camps give students an opportunity to dive into real-world science and engineering experiences while learning from university faculty and industry experts. From mining explosives and aerospace to art and engineering and physics, participants will conduct experiments, take part in interactive projects, explore the Black Hills through field trips and experience life on a college campus.

“The students get to immerse themselves in a college-filled experience and have fun at the same time,” said Alyssa Shipper, assistant director of admissions at Mines and summer camps coordinator. “They have the opportunity to learn the curriculum but also play in the field. Professors and the Mines students create each program to tailor the experience to the specific area of study. This is a great way for students to dip their toes into the STEM field and see which area peaks their interest the most.” 

Unlike traditional summer camps, South Dakota Mines STEM camps emphasize experiential learning and problem solving. Students work alongside professors and mentors who bring industry and research experience into the classroom, helping campers better understand how STEM fields shape the world around them.

“The Geology Rocks cam goes to the Badlands, excavation sites and caves to learn directly from the environment,” Shipper said. “The swords camp gets to learn the science behind metal creating a knife in the foundry on campus. Students get to get to see what engineers, scientists and doctors get to create and teach in the field to inspire them to grow a deeper passion and understanding of that area of STEM.”

The camps are open to local students as well as participants traveling from across the region and country. While the camps operate as day programs and do not include overnight accommodations, families visiting from outside the area can find numerous lodging options on- and off-campus. 

Families are encouraged to make the experience part of a summer vacation and explore the outdoor recreation, history and attractions the Black Hills region has to offer. 

For more information about South Dakota Mines summer STEM camps, visit South Dakota Mines Summer Camps at sdsmt.edu/events/education-outreach/summer-camps/

Upcoming Events: 

Go to Mines, open house event for prospective students, from 12 – 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Surbeck Center.

Go to Mines, open house event for prospective students, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at Surbeck Center.