Editing Sigma Xi (section)

==History==
Sigma Xi originated in 1886 at [[Cornell University]]. Founded by engineering students and Cornell faculty member, Frank Van Vleck, the society's primary objective was to acknowledge significant scientific research and foster cooperation among scientists from various disciplines.

By 1888, Sigma Xi included five female members and established chapters at educational institutions such as [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]], [[Union College]], [[Stevens Institute of Technology]], and [[Rutgers University|Rutgers College]]. By the end of the 19th century, the society consisted of over 1,000 members in eight chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.sigmaxi.org/about/history |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.sigmaxi.org}}</ref>
[[File:Portrait of the attendees of a Sigma Xi dinner, Yale University (12483540544).jpg|left|thumb|300x300px|Sigma Xi dinner at Yale University circa 1911]]
In the early 20th century, following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake]], Sigma Xi's [[Stanford University|Stanford]] and [[University of California, Berkeley|Berkeley]] chapters were involved in reconstruction and public health initiatives. The society later introduced the publication ''[[American Scientist]]'', which discusses scientific and technological developments. During [[World War I]], the [[National Research Council (United States)|National Research Council]] collaborated with Sigma Xi to organize research facilities. The society expanded significantly after the war, and by the 1930s, it had chapters at prestigious institutions like [[Harvard University|Harvard]], [[California Institute of Technology|Caltech]], [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], and [[Princeton University|Princeton]].

Sigma Xi initiated the Distinguished Lectureships Program in the late 1930s, aimed at promoting its activities and research findings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distinguished Lectureships |url=https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/lectureships |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.sigmaxi.org}}</ref> By 1950, the society's membership numbered 42,000. In 1947, the Scientific Research Society of America (RESA) was created to support research in various settings. The two societies combined in 1974 under the name Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society. In 1989, Sigma Xi revised its mission statement, emphasizing the importance of science and its role in society. Currently, Sigma Xi has approximately 60,000 members in over 500 chapters worldwide. The society remains committed to recognizing scientific achievements and promoting global collaboration in science and technology. Notable past presidents of Sigma Xi include [[Frederick Chapman Robbins|Frederick Robbins]], a Nobel Prize recipient, and [[Rita R. Colwell|Rita Colwell]], the former [[National Science Foundation]] Director.