The San Diego Chapter of Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
The San Diego Chapter of Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Cornell University established Sigma Xi, the honor society, in 1886 to reward excellence in scientific research and to encourage a sens of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields. In 1969 the San Diego Sigma Xi Club with 187 members was one of 200 clubs acknowledged by Sigma Xi. In 1980 the San Diego Club became the San Diego Chapter of Sigma Xi - #254. During that period 1969-80), the membership rose from 187 members to 386, and today the total membership is well above 500, which includes an extremely diverse membership comprised of scientists, educators, industry, and the medical field.
One of the main functions has been to present lectures to the membership, and those that have presented have been eclectic to say the least. Our Club/Chapter has prided itself with presenting topics right on the cutting edge. The following are just a few examples of lectures that have been given since 1970:
"Slide talk on the San Pasqual Wilderness Park""The Exploration of Outer Space"
"Transparent Submersibles for Ocean Exploration"
"The Chernobyl Reactor Disaster and its Consequences"
"Is Our Climate Changing"
"The Mammary Gland: Nature's Unique Milk Factory"
"Current Trends in AIDS Research"
"Supercomputing - A New Mode of Science"
"In the Twilight of the Giants: Controversies Surronding the Extinction of Dinosaurs"
"The Comet Shoemaker - Levy Impact on Jupiter"
"The Future of Biomedical Research in the United States: One Scientist's Perspective"
Besides formal lectures, there have been social gatherings which have ranged from a Family Star Party and Cookout at San Diego State University's Mt. Laguna Observatory, a Science Surf and Sunset Barbecue at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, to a Banquet at Sea World.
In 1995, the Chapter began the tradition of offering Grants-in-Aid to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in the sciences from all local universities. In 1995 ten graduate students were given awards amounting to $2,500.00, In 1996 twelve undergraduate and graduate students received awards totaling $2,550.00.
When Sigma Xi celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1986, our chapter was honored by the Sigma xi Headquarters when we were selected to host the "Centennial Lecture." The distinguished astrophysicist, Dr. Kip. S. Thorne, presented his lecture on "Gravitational Waves: A Window Onto the Universe."
The Chapter has awarded cash prizes to selected students for their entries in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) since the Spring 2001 Fair. Four awards are made each year to students who show unusual research potential. Volunteer Sigma Xi judges select winners for physical sciences or engineering, and for biological or social sciences, in both the Senior and Junior Divisions. Special awards to encourage young female students are made in cooperation with Girl Power of Chula Vista. The funds for the awards are made possible by the wonderful generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Quart.
The Chapter presents an annual Award for Distinguished Achivement in Science or Engineering.
In Conclusion, the following is a list of the past and present Presidents of the San Diego Sigma Xi Club and Chapter which have contributed to its success:
1948-49 E.W. Thatcher 1982-83 Charles Phleger 1949-52 Carl Eckart 1983-84 Richard Ford 1953-54 R.J. Christiansen 1984-85 James Baur 1954-55 A.B. Focke 1985-86 Carl H. FitzGerald 1956-57 D.L. Fox 1986-87 Ronald V. Josephson 1958-58 S.Q. Duntley 1988-89 Richard Laub 1960-61 C.E. Zobell 1989-90 Charles F. Cooper 1962-63 Gilbert H. Curl 1990-91 Jeffrey B. Graham 1964-65 Lester L. Skolil 1991-92 Donald Kent 1966-67 Carl L. Hubbs 1992-93 W. John Dawsey 1968-69 Richard P. Phillips 1993-94 Alan Sweedler 1970-72 Henry Walsh 1994-96 Jeremy Fields 1973-75 Ellen S. Stewart 1996-97 James Baur 1975-77 Robert P. Metzger 1997-98 Steven Brody 1977-78 Robert Radlow 1999-00 Donald McGraw 1978-79 Ted Daub 2000-2002 Robert P. Metzger 1979-81 James Mathewson
1981-82
John Hood