FROM THE PRESIDENT
Positioning Sigma Xi for the Future
As this issue of American Scientist magazine goes to press,
the Society is gearing up for the grand opening celebration of the
new Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This
beautiful 52,000-square-foot facility is both a tribute to the proud
heritage of Sigma Xi and the next stage in the evolution of our
Society. Members and officers of Sigma Xi, elected and appointed
governmental officials, leaders of Research Triangle Park
institutions and representatives of other state and national
scientific societies will join to hail this remarkable moment in
Sigma Xi's history.
The opening of the Center culminates a succession of activities over
the past two years that will ultimately shape the Society’s
pattern of growth and ability to support science and engineering
effectively for years to come. The new facility, with its marvelous
technology, flexible meeting spaces and dramatic engineering,
represents the third step in a process of evolution and growth that
included the development of a comprehensive strategic plan and a
reorganization of staff and committee structure to support that
plan. The overall focus of this effort has been to foster a higher
level of chapter support, member service and public visibility for
the Society.
The new facility boasts cutting-edge technology that promises to
link and engage the Society's network of chapters and members better
and more effectively in the future. It will provide room to grow and
expand in areas that have long been the focus of chapter activities:
science and engineering education, research ethics, the public
understanding of science and technology, international research
cooperation and the overall health of the research enterprise. The
flexible meeting spaces will provide the venue in which to host
forums, workshops and conferences. The frequent webcasting of such
events from the Center will broaden discussion of issues of science
and engineering among our chapters. The improved bandwidth, system
redundancy and backup generator support will ensure the continuity
of communications with our members.
The Society is now exceedingly well positioned to accomplish its
mission: to enhance the health of the research enterprise, foster
integrity in science and engineering, and promote the public
understanding of science for the purpose of improving the human
condition. With the new Center all the elements are in place. Sigma
Xi's greatest asset, however, is our members' talent, vitality and
commitment to service. Sustaining the strength of that membership
must be a personal priority for each of us, just as it is the top
priority of our strategic plan. It takes the commitment and
dedication of scientists and engineers to improve the conditions of
humankind. Won't you please share the honor of membership in Sigma
Xi with those individuals worthy of the honor who share your zeal
for research? Each of us must recognize, mentor and create the next
generation of distinguished scientists and engineers who will grace
the rolls of our membership. There are many of our fellow scientists
and engineers who would be proud to be nominated and who in turn
would honor us with their service. They are waiting to be asked.
This editorial marks my last such message to you as the Society's
president. It has been my honor to lead the Society in such a
challenging but productive time. I want to thank the Board,
committees, members and administrative staff for their hard work and
contributions on behalf of Sigma Xi, and to express my appreciation
on your behalf to Executive Director Pat Sculley for a banner year.
I also wish to thank all members for your continuing support,
service and friendship. The future of science and engineering is
well placed in the good hands of those whom I have just thanked.
Peter H. Raven
President, Sigma Xi