Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. North Carolina State College Chapter.

Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, is a non-profit honor society of more than 70,000 scientists and engineers. Its mission is to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster integrity in science, and promote the public's understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human condition. Sigma Xi has more than 500 chapters at universities and colleges, government laboratories, and industry research centers. Membership in Sigma Xi is by invitation. Any active full member may nominate an individual for membership (either associate, full, or promotion to full) by submitting a nomination form to the chapter secretary.

In 1974, the Society of the Sigma Xi, which was founded in 1886, merged with the Scientific Research Society of America to form Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society of North America. In 1979, the name was changed to Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.

On February 17, 1938, twenty-nine members of Sigma Xi met at North Carolina State College to consider the establishment of a Sigma Xi Club. At this meeting, debate took place over the choice of establishing a Club versus an Alumni Chapter. A Club, which is usually formed before a Chapter, is made up of members of an institution's faculty who are already members or associates of Sigma Xi. In addition, a Club holds meetings and programs but cannot elect new members, whereas an Alumni Chapter, would have this ability. The members chose to form a club, and shortly thereafter committees began formulating by-laws, a constitution, and programs for the year.

On March 3, 1938, the Club decided to begin work on a petition for the establishment of a Chapter at State College. 70 members eventually signed the petition, which included general information about North Carolina State College, lists of projects and publications by the Club's members, biographies of all the members, and letters of recommendations. The petition was published in booklet form and submitted to Sigma Xi in October 1943. In December of that year the college was awarded a Chapter, and formally initiated in a ceremony held April 17, 1944.

From its inception, Chapter activities have included both general business and events designed to promote and recognize scientific achievement. The Chapter holds regular meetings, elects officers and new members each spring, and has an annual year-end banquet. It participates in the Distinguished Lecture series offered by the national organization, where individuals who are at the leading edge of science come to Chapters to speak to members and the general public. North Carolina State University's Chapter also participates in the Grants-in-Aid of Research program, providing financial aid to undergraduate and graduate students and encouraging close working relationships with faculty. In 1992, the chapter began conducting an annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. In 1993, they began giving a Faculty Research Award to honor young faculty who have demonstrated excellence in their areas of research specialization. North Carolina State University's chapter of Sigma Xi remained active as of 2008.

From the guide to the North Carolina State University, Student and Other Organizations, Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, North Carolina State University Chapter Records, 1932 - 1995, (Special Collections Research Center)