The Murray State University Chapter

A BRIEF HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVE

In 1886, Sigma Xi—the International Scientific Research Society—was initially chartered at Cornell University. Through the sustained efforts of Drs. Gary Boggess, Charles Chaney, James Kline, Alta Presson, James Stuart, Vaughn Vandegrift, and Neil Weber, the Murray State University Sigma Xi Club was established and formally chartered on September 28, 1978. In 1996, the Murray State University Sigma Xi Club was officially elevated to Chapter status. In 1997, the Murray State University Chapter was presented its second Certificate of Excellence Award for exemplary high level of activity. This marked only the second time in the history of Sigma Xi that a given Chapter had received more than one Excellence Award.

From an early limited membership, the Murray State University Chapter has expanded in both number strength and discipline diversity, and now includes over fifty members from such fields Agriculture, Anthropology, Archeology, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geosciences, Mathematics, Nursing, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology. Membership is further complemented with membership from regional industry and public service organizations. Innumerable students, faculty, teachers, and private citizenry have benefited from the ongoing activities of the Murray State University Sigma Xi Chapter.