Preliminary Guide to the Sigma Xi (Washington State University chapter) records, 1929-1984

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Society of the Sigma Xi. Washington State University Chapter
Title
Preliminary Guide to the Sigma Xi (Washington State University chapter) records
Dates
1929-1984 (inclusive)
Quantity
4 linear feet, (4 boxes.)
Collection Number
MS.1986.12
Summary
Records of the Washington State University chapter of Sigma Xi.This collection contains records of the Washington State University chapter of Sigma Xi.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions

This collection is open and available for research use.

Languages
English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

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.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

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.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

(MASC staff use) 2-15-22-3.

Processing Note

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.

Acquisition Information

Irv Hinder and Al Halvorsen donated this collection to the Washington State University Libraries in 1986 (MS-1986-12).

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Greek letter societies--Washington (State)--Pullman--Archives