Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
Preliminary Guide to the Sigma Xi (Washington State University chapter) records 1929-1984
MS.1986.12
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
- Creator
- Society of the Sigma Xi. Washington State University Chapter
- Title
- Preliminary Guide to the Sigma Xi (Washington State University chapter) records
- ID
- MS.1986.12
- Date [inclusive]
- 1929-1984
- Extent
- 4 linear feet, 4 boxes.
- Location
- (MASC staff use) 2-15-22-3.
- Language
- Collection materials are in English.
- Abstract
- Records of the Washington State University chapter of Sigma Xi.
- Abstract
- This collection contains records of the Washington State University chapter of Sigma Xi.
Biography/History
Sigma Xi is an international, interdisciplinary community of science and engineering professionals dedicated to research excellence, to promoting public engagement with science, and to fostering the next generation of researchers.
Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a group of engineering students and a junior faculty member, Frank Van Vleck. From the beginning, the founders emphasized that the new scientific honor society would be broad in its outlook, devoted to all of science and engineering. Cornell geology professor Henry Shaler Williams soon became the fledgling society's chief mentor, serving as the first elected president and a leader of the growing organization until the turn of the 20th century.
The Washington State University Chapter of Sigma Xi began as the Sigma Xi Club on December 17, 1925. The organization was founded by a group of faculty who had all been members of Sigma Xi at their previous institutions. The Chapter was officially chartered on April 14, 1930, but fell dormant in the 1980s.
Scope and Content
This collection contains records of the Washington State University chapter of Sigma Xi beginning with its founding in 1930, and the preceding Sigma Xi Club beginning with its founding in 1925. The collection includes correspondence, ledgers, financial records, membership information, notifications, and the official manual of procedures.
Preliminary Inventory:
Box 1: Correspondence and records related to the founding of the chapter, chapter notices, minutes, and election records. Also contains treasurer information including reports and book of transactions (1941-73); circa 1926-1973.
Box 2: Membership information, including member lists, initiation letters, and letters of acceptance. Correspondence with nationals. Minutes of open, closed, and executive meetings. Small amount of chapter financial records; circa 1958-1973.
Box 3: Correspondence with nationals, members, and University President Holland regarding the formation of the chapter (1925-1929). Minutes of meetings and chapter notices; circa 1925-1977.
Box 4: Correspondence, both within the chapter and with nationals. Member nominations, acceptances, and lists. Financial records. The chapter's Manual of Procedures, and a notebook detailing elected officers of the chapter and guest lecturers, 1930-1981.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries 01/03/2018
http://www.libraries.wsu.edu/masc/
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610 USA
509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open and available for research use.
Acquisition Information
Irv Hinder and Al Halvorsen donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1986 (MS-1986-12).
Processing Information
This is an unprocessed collection. Any arrangement reflects either a pre-existing order from the records' creators or previous custodians, or preliminary sorting performed by staff.
Names and Subjects
Subject(s)
- Greek letter societies--Washington (State)--Pullman--Archives
- Colleges and Universities