TAMU-C Chapter of Sigma Xi (Background info)
Some background about Sigma Xi at
Texas A & M University-Commerce
Sigma Xi,
the Scientific Research Society, was founded in 1886. It is
interdisciplinary in nature.
Its mission
is to honor scientific achievements, to encourage and enhance the worldwide
appreciation and support of original investigation in science and
technology, and to foster interaction among science, technology and
society. Its motto is based on the Greek letters sigma and xi:
spoudon xynones, which translates to "companions in zealous research".
There are currently approximately 91000 active members. Well over 150
Nobel Prize winners are currently, or have been, members of Sigma Xi.
There are over 500 chapters of Sigma Xi worldwide, affiliated with
universities, national research institutions, and industrial research
centers. Texas A & M University - Commerce's
official affiliation with Sigma Xi
began in 1965, with
the formation of the East Texas State University Club of Sigma Xi.
Effective June 30, 1995, the club became a Chapter.
ETSU had its Chapter Installation Ceremony on November 11, 1995.
As a result of the merger of ETSU with the Texas A & M system effective
September 1, 1996, the chapter was approved for a name change
(in a letter dated October 29, 1996); the current
name is the Texas A & M - Commerce
Chapter of Sigma Xi.
The TAMU-C Chapter hopes to further the use of, support for, and appreciation
of science and technology
at the local level. We encourage all those in the community who are
interested in science and
technology to participate in our activities and attend our
meetings. We also encourage those with
special needs for lecturers or other forms of assistance related to
science or technology issues to contact us, especially local school
teachers and students.
Attaining Chapter status affects how
membership is determined in the following way. Sigma Xi is an
honorary scientific society. Membership is by invitation, followed by
nomination
and election. Interested individuals need to contact an active member
in order to be considered for nomination.
There are two types of membership designations,
associate and full.
Associate membership is generally for individuals
considered to have demonstrated potential for
original scientific research. Full
membership is generally for individuals
who have demonstrated original and significant scientific research ability,
as evidenced in publications, patents, reports, etc.
Since becoming a chapter of Sigma Xi, we are now able
to elect full members
as well as associate members to Sigma Xi; clubs were heretofore
only allowed to elect associate members.
All members of Sigma Xi receive a subscription
to the bimonthly, multiple-award-winning publication
American Scientist.
Back to the TAMU-C Chapter homepage.