Scientific honorary cites MSU chapter

The Mississippi State chapter of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society is among 10 nationally cited for superior performance last year.

The chapter, which has around 120 members, recently received a "certificate of excellence" from the organization of more than 80,000 scientists and engineers throughout the United States and Canada. The honor is the highest bestowed on local chapters.

Other top chapters in 1998 included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Clemson University, Ford Motor Co., Howard University, South Dakota State University, Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Texas A&M University, as well as groups in Tifton, Ga., and Vermont.

Based at Research Triangle Park, N.C., Sigma Xi has more than 500 local organizations at universities and colleges, government laboratories, and industrial research centers. The non-profit society annually awards grants to young researchers, holds forums on critical issues and sponsors a variety of programs supporting science and engineering, science education, science policy, and the public understanding of science.

Chartered in 1966, MSU's chapter includes faculty members in engineering, the sciences and the social sciences, said chemical engineering professor Charles Sparrow, the 1998 president.

"The national organization noted the high level of activity of our chapter," he said.

Among the 1998 MSU programs was a panel discussion (co-sponsored with the Office of the Provost) that examined reforms of undergraduate science education. The chapter also sponsors a monthly speakers series and an annual awards recognition program, and maintains a web site at <http://www.msstate.edu/org/sigmaxi/sigmaxi.html>.

David Monts, an associate professor of physics, is the current president. President-elect Frank Howell, a professor of sociology, accepted the award on behalf of MSU at Sigma Xi's recent convention in Vancouver, B.C.