JOHN R. SOWA, JR.
Present Position
Professor of Chemistry at Governors State University
Chapter Affiliation
Argonne National Laboratory Chapter
Background Information
CV
Biography
Statement
Sigma Xi is a professional scientific organization with perhaps the broadest scope of all professional scientific organizations. Its signature publication, the American Scientist magazine, communicates current scientific topics in a format that is both accessible and enjoyable. Local chapters, regional and national meetings catalyze meaningful opportunities for professional scientists with widely ranging interests to share knowledge. With the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, Sigma Xi is actively engaged in new ways for scientists to share knowledge including electronic meetings. It is the ideal scientific organization to welcome the broadest array of emerging scientists at the undergraduate and graduate level and to be a resource for professional scientists from industries, state and government laboratories and academia throughout their careers. I am excited to have an opportunity to serve Sigma Xi in the midst of our global pandemic and to use my creativity, energy and talents to help the organization flourish in this time.
I was inducted into Sigma Xi as an undergraduate chemistry major in my senior year at Manhattan College (1985). It was a proud moment that I still cherish. Throughout my career, I have tapped into Sigma Xi to attend local talks, to present at chapter meetings, to nominate students and colleagues for membership, to encourage students to apply for Grants-in-Aid of Research, to discuss articles in the American Scientist with students, and to incorporate Sigma Xi’s documents on responsibility and ethics into the training of my research students. I just completed a one year position to fill a vacancy on the Committee for Nominations in the Industries, State & Federal Labs area group where I played a role in selecting a slate of candidates for president-elect.
I seek this opportunity to serve as Associate Director of the North Central Constituency as an opportunity to work with the Director to further the mission of Sigma Xi of advocacy for science; to learn new strategies for enhancing participation of current members; and to welcome new members into a scientific organization; to help Sigma Xi be a scientific leader during the global pandemic and for it to flourish as an organization. As there is great emphasis on training and education in STEM, it is important to consider Sigma Xi as a resource for developing future scientists, staying with them throughout their career, and to find new ways to reach out an communicate to prospective members.
Sigma Xi and Other Activities:
I became an associate member of Sigma Xi in 1985 and a full member after my first publication in 1991. In the North Central area, I am also a volunteer and member of the board of directors of the Homewood Science Center which is a scientific organization serving the south suburban community of Chicago by inspiring and providing programming in STEAM for children of all ages, families and adults. I also serve as a coordinator for the Spring Bird Count for Will County for the National Audubon Society, and, I volunteer for the Greater Chicago Food Repository in Richton Park, IL.