1919-; honorary scientific research organization

University of North Dakota Chapter of Sigma Xi (1920-)

The International Society of the Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The 33rd branch of the organization was chartered at the University of North Dakota in 1919. This research honorary drew its prospective members from instructors, students, and professionals in the sciences, mostly in the fields of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, anatomy, engineering, geology, medicine, psychology and physics. As the organization's motto "Companions in Zealous Research" indicates, both full and associate members strove "to encourage original investigation in science, pure and applied." The most visible representation of this postulation came with the annual granting of two research awards, one to recognize faculty members and one to recognize graduate students. Additionally, the association actively recruited guest lecturers for campus presentations through the society's "National Lectureship Series" and provided demonstrations of UND scientific facilities for local high school students.