Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society is the international honor society of science and engineering. One of the oldest and largest scientific organizations in the world, Sigma Xi has a distinguished history of service to science and society for more than one hundred and twenty five years. Scientists and engineers, whose research spans the disciplines of science and technology, comprise the membership of the Society. Sigma Xi chapters can be found at colleges and universities, government laboratories, and industry research centers around the world. More than 200 Nobel Prize winners have been members.

History

Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a group of engineering students and a junior faculty member, Frank Van Vleck. From the beginning, the founders emphasized that the new scientific honor society would be broad in its outlook, devoted to all of science and engineering. Cornell geology professor Henry Shaler Williams soon became the fledgling society's chief mentor, serving as the first elected president and a leader of the growing organization until the turn of the century.

Sigma Xi was designed to reward excellence in scientific research and to encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields. In selecting a name and motto for the new honor society, the founders chose a combination of Greek letters--Sigma Xi--not being used by any other group. Later, a motto based on these initials was developed to confirm its purpose: Spoudon xynones, or "Companions in Zealous Research."

Organization

Sigma Xi is governed by volunteer officers, a Board of Directors and an Assembly of Delegates made up of chapter representatives.

A president and president-elect are elected for one-year terms at the Society's annual meeting.

The Assembly of Delegates also elects members of the Board of Directors for three-year terms.

Standing Committees are key groups of officers and members. In most cases committee chairs are elected by the Board of Directors for three-year terms and committee members are appointed annually by the president in consultation with the president-elect.

Except for the Committees on Nominations and Audit Review (whose terms coincide with the Society's annual meeting), all committee terms run from July 1 until June 30.

From time to time the Board of Directors creates ad hoc committees for special purposes.