92nd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS 2025)

October 23th to 25th

James Madison University

About SESAPS

Established in 1937, SESAPS advances and disseminates knowledge of physics across the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Meeting Schedule and Program:

Meeting Schedule and Program

Abstract Submission

Abstract submission is open now.

The submission deadline is September 22.

Submit Your Abstract

Abstracts for contributed talks and posters from any field in physics will be accepted. Only one oral abstract and one poster abstract will be accepted per speaker. Abstracts should be no more than 1300 characters.

Further guidance on preparing your abstract can be found on the APS Abstract Guidelines.

Registration

Register Here

Registration

Early Registration Deadline: October 16, 2025

SESAPS 2025 Registration Fees by Participant Type
Participant Type	Early Registration	Late Registration
Undergraduate student (APS member)	$ 15	$ 15
Undergraduate student (non-member)	$ 60	$ 70
Graduate student (APS member)	$ 60	$ 70
Senior/Retired (APS member)	$ 40	$ 50
Early Career (APS member, within 5 years of PhD)	$ 80	$ 100
Regular APS member	$ 100	$ 120
Non-member	$ 150	$ 180

Registration includes: access to all scientific sessions, coffee breaks, and a reception. Banquet tickets will be available for an additional fee.

Venue

SESAPS 2025 Venue

The 2025 SESAPS conference will be held at the Festival Conference and Student Center at James Madison University. This modern facility offers flexible meeting spaces, dining options, and a welcoming atmosphere for attendees.

Address:
1301 Carrier Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Learn more about the venue here:
JMU Festival Conference and Student Center

Graduate School Fair

The SESAPS meeting will feature a graduate school fair with representatives from physics-related graduate programs. There is no cost for students to attend the fair, and you do not need to register for this session separately. All students are welcome.

If you would like to have a table at the graduate fair to represent your program, please register for the meeting and select the graduate fair registration option. While there is no cost for a table, spots are limited, so we encourage you to register as early as possible.

Parking

SESAPS 2025 Parking Information

Arrangements are complete for the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society Annual Meeting (SESAPS). Free event parking will be available to campus visitors during the event dates.

Parking enforcement will be relaxed for unregistered campus visitors in the following lots:

C12
D3
R4
Ballard Parking Deck

Valid dates: October 23, 2025, 6:00 AM – October 25, 2025, 1:30 PM

No permits or vouchers are required for guests parking in these locations during the above times.

📍 View the JMU Campus Parking Map (PDF)

Note: All parking regulations for JMU students, faculty, and staff remain in effect. Students attending SESAPS must park in designated student parking areas with a valid JMU permit.

Regular enforcement will continue in all other parking areas. Guests may be cited if parked in restricted spaces such as:

Service Vehicle spaces
Accessible spaces without a permit
Expired timed spaces
Fire lanes

Getting To JMU

Getting to JMU

From IAD (Washington Dulles International Airport)

Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is the closest major airport with convenient options to reach James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. The trip takes about 2 hours by car or bus. Two main options are available:

🚗 Uber / Rideshare

An Uber or Lyft ride from IAD to JMU takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes (roughly 110–125 miles). Costs typically range between $150–$250, depending on traffic and demand. Pick up your ride at the designated rideshare zone at IAD. For convenience, you may request to be dropped off directly at the Godwin Transit Center on JMU’s campus.

More info: Uber at IAD

🚌 Virginia Breeze Bus

The Virginia Breeze, operated in partnership with Megabus, provides direct service from IAD to Harrisonburg. Buses depart from Curb 2A at IAD (look for the “Virginia Breeze” sign) and arrive at the Godwin Transit Center on campus.

Duration: ~2 hrs 5 min
Cost: usually $24–$30 one-way
Schedule: typically two departures daily (10:45 AM and 2:00 PM)

Book tickets: Megabus (IAD → Harrisonburg)

Other Flight Options

While IAD is the most common choice, several other airports may be convenient depending on your origin and travel preferences:

✈️ Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO)

Located about 70 miles (1 hr 15 min) from JMU, CHO is the closest regional airport with commercial service. It is served by American, Delta, and United with connections to major hubs such as Charlotte (CLT), Atlanta (ATL), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

✈️ Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD)

Only 20 minutes from JMU, SHD is the closest airport geographically. It offers United flights connecting through Washington Dulles (IAD) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). Service is limited but can be convenient if flight times align.

✈️ Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Located about 2.5 hours from JMU, RIC offers a wider selection of domestic flights and rental car options. This is a good alternative if you find affordable fares into Richmond.

✈️ Washington, DC Area Airports (DCA & BWI)

Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington (BWI) are both 2.5–3 hours from JMU. These airports serve a large number of destinations and may offer better pricing, but expect longer ground travel to Harrisonburg.

Driving Directions: IAD to JMU

James Madison University is about 110–125 miles southwest of Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Driving typically takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic. There are several common routes:

Option 1: VA-267 → I-66 → I-81 (Most Direct)

Take VA-267 West (Dulles Greenway) from the airport.
Merge onto I-66 West toward Front Royal.
Exit onto I-81 South toward Strasburg.
Continue on I-81 South to Exit 245 (Port Republic Road) in Harrisonburg.
Turn right onto Port Republic Road, then left onto Main Street (US-11) to reach JMU.

⏱ Approx. 2 hrs 5 min — simplest interstate route.

Option 2: VA-267 → US-29 → US-33 (Scenic)

Take VA-267 West to US-15 South.
Follow US-29 South through Culpeper.
Turn right onto US-33 West at Ruckersville.
Continue on US-33 over the Blue Ridge Mountains into Harrisonburg.
Follow signs into downtown Harrisonburg and JMU campus.

⏱ Approx. 2 hrs 15 min — more scenic, avoids some interstate traffic.

Option 3: VA-28 → US-50 → I-81 (Alternative)

From IAD, head south on VA-28.
Turn west onto US-50 toward Winchester.
Merge onto I-81 South toward Harrisonburg.
Take Exit 245 to reach JMU.

⏱ Approx. 2 hrs 20 min — useful if I-66 traffic is heavy.

From Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) to JMU

Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) is located about 70 miles (1 hr 15 min) from JMU. At this time, there is no direct bus service between CHO and Harrisonburg. Travelers should plan to use a rental car, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), or taxi service for the most convenient transfer.

🚗 Driving Directions (CHO → JMU)

From the airport, head south on Seminole Trail/US-29 South toward Charlottesville.
Merge onto US-29 North toward Ruckersville.
At Ruckersville, turn left onto US-33 West.
Continue on US-33 over the Blue Ridge Mountains and into Harrisonburg.
Follow signs into downtown Harrisonburg and the JMU campus.

⏱ Approx. 1 hr 15 min — straightforward drive with scenic mountain views.

🚌 Public Transit (Limited)

While there is no direct bus from CHO to Harrisonburg, travelers may combine local transit in Charlottesville with Virginia Breeze service (from downtown Charlottesville) to reach JMU. This typically requires a taxi or rideshare from CHO to downtown Charlottesville to connect with the bus.

For more details on transit options between JMU and Charlottesville, see: JMU Transit: Charlottesville Shuttle Info

Hotels

SESAPS 2025 Lodging Options

We encourage SESAPS attendees to book early, as availability may be limited. Hotel Madison is the official conference hotel and is located adjacent to James Madison University.

🏨 Book at Hotel Madison – Official SESAPS Hotel
Preferred rates available while rooms last.