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College Establishes Sigma Xi Chapter
 Washington College has been granted a charter to establish a chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. The chapter received its charter during an installation ceremony held on campus in April.
"The primary benefits of our Sigma Xi affiliation will be an increased availability of research grant money for faculty and student projects, and opportunity for a greater exchange of ideas and for interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from other institutions," said Dr. Michael Kerchner, an associate professor of psychology who will serve as first president of the newly formed chapter.
Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is a non-profit membership society of more than 80,000 scientists and engineers elected to the Society because of their research achievements or potential. In addition to publishing the journal American Scientist, Sigma Xi awards annual grants to promising young researchers, holds forums on critical issues at the intersection of science and society, and sponsors a variety of programs supporting honor in science and engineering, science education, science policy and the public understanding of science. The affiliation allows Washington College faculty and students to advance scientific education and research through grants, travel awards, conferences and visiting scientists.
For the last five years, Dr. Kerchner has been part of a core of faculty, primarily in the natural sciences, working to bring Sigma Xi to the College. "Our three-year plan for the chapter includes a schedule of events and speakers, membership recruitment strategies, professional development plans, community outreach initiatives and programs to foster undergraduate research opportunities that demonstrate our commitment to Sigma Xi's ideals."
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