Sigma Xi and Our Chapter History

The international honor society of science and engineering, Sigma Xi (Xi is pronounced with a “Z” sound–Sigma “Zi”–as in “xylophone”) was founded in 1886 to honor excellence in scientific investigation and encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among researchers in all fields of science and engineering. The Greek letters “sigma” and “xi” form the acronym of the Society’s motto, “Spoudon Xynones,” which translates as “Companions in Zealous Research.” The Rice University-Texas Medical Center Chapter was founded in 1938 on the campus of Rice University.

Today, Sigma Xi has nearly 60,000 members who were elected to membership based on their research potential or achievements. Sigma Xi has a distinguished history of more than a century of service to science and society. Its programmatic efforts focus primarily on science and engineering education, ethics in research, public understanding of science, international science networking, and the overall health of the research enterprise.

Sigma Xi is a non-profit membership society of scientists and engineers whose research spans the spectrum of science and technology. More than 500 Sigma Xi chapters in North America and around the world provide a supportive environment for interdisciplinary research at colleges and universities, industry research centers and government laboratories, in which research can thrive. To date, more than 200 Sigma Xi Members have won the Nobel Prize.

The Society endeavors to encourage support of original work across the spectrum of science and technology and to promote an appreciation within society at large for the role research has played in human progress. To that end, Sigma Xi publishes the award-winning American Scientist magazine, awards hundreds of grants annually to promising student researchers, and sponsors a variety of programs that serve science and society. Primary programmatic interests include research ethics, science and engineering education, the public understanding of science, international research networking and the overall health of the research enterprise. At the new Sigma Xi Center in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the Society is enhancing and expanding programs in support of its members, chapters, and the research community.