2005 Assembly of Delegates:
Northwest Regional Associate Director

2005 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference
November 3-6, 2005
Westin Seattle Hotel
Seattle, Washington

Name: Van C. Kelley

Present Position: Associate Professor/Department Head
Organization: South Dakota State University

Address: Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering Department
Box 2120
1400 North Cmpus Drive
Brookings, SD 57006-1496
USA

Telephone: 605-688-5141
FAX: 605-688-6764
E-mail: van.kelley@sdstate.edu

Chapter Affiliation: South Dakota State University

Candidate's Statement: I have enjoyed being a member of Sigma Xi because of the expanded opportunity to interact with researchers in other disciplines and the chance to listen to some outstanding and interesting guest lectures. Being able to walk across our campus and listen to world class scientist from other universities is a rewarding experience. I look forward to each copy of American Scientist because it stimulates me to think outside the traditional boundaries of my discipline. I appreciate the opportunity to make a small contribution to a significant scientific society.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Chapter Secretary/Treasurer and President Elect.

Biographical Information: BS Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University; MA Agricultural & Extension Education, New Mexico State University; PhD Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois. Instructor, assistant professor, associate professor at South Dakota State University 1978 - Present. Taught classes on tractors, engines, farm machinery, rural structures, applied electricity, construction cost estimating, mechanics of materials, structural mechanics, and senior design. Research in post frame building construction, construction fasters, metal plate connectors. Head of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department since 2000 - 12 tenure track faculty, 8 support staff, 126 undergraduates, and16 graduate students. The Department had 22 funded research projects this past year in hydrology, climate, air quality, utilization of by-products from ethanol plants, biomass gasification, and crop satellite imagery. Director of Water Resources Institute since 2000 - 3 research associates, 1 support staff. The institute is involved in 6-8 research projects per year and supports graduate students across South Dakota, in several different disciplines, on projects in water treatment, irrigation water conservation, water transport of agricultural antibiotics, and nutrients in the watershed.

Name: Catherine King Skokan

Present Position: Associate Professor of Engineering
Organization: Colorado School of Mines

Address: Division of Engineering
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO 80401
USA

Telephone: 303-273-3960
FAX: 303-273-3602
E-mail: cskokan@mines.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Colorado School of Mines

Candidate's Statement: The grass roots structure of Sigma Xi differentiates this society from most other scientific and research groups. As an organization, we should continue to use this strength to offer local members services that meet community needs. Bringing information about national level services to local chapters and encouraging the use of these services would be my primary goal.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: SIGMA XI: Vice President, President, Program Chair, Treasurer (present position) local chapter, Nominating Committee for Northwest Region. Also, American Geophysical Union, Engineering and Environmental Geophysics Society (presently VP-Conventions), National Association of Science Teachers, Colorado Association of Science Teachers, American Society for Engineering Education. Active in music program at CSM and play in local chamber orchestra.

Biographical Information: Catherine K. Skokan received her Ph. D. in Geophysical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. She is presently an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. Her research interests include engineering applications of geophysics, curriculum development, and k-12 outreach. Her present research projects include an NSF sponsored program "Bridges in Engineering" which helps to bring engineering curriculum to the K12 community to help to excite students in math and science. She also has a grant from the Colorado Department of Education through the No Child Left Behind Act to increase the physical science content knowledge of middle school teachers. She is presently writing electrical engineering curriculum for the Petroleum Institute in the UAE as this new university is developed.

Name: Kelly Olsen Sullivan

Present Position: Director, University Partnerships
Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Address: PO Box 999/MS K9-45
Richland, WA 99352
USA

Telephone: 509-375-2923
FAX: 509-375-2631
E-mail: kelly.sullivan@pnl.govu

Chapter Affiliation: Tri-Cities, Washington

Candidate's Statement: I am a big fan of Sigma Xi and the companionship I find in this multidisciplinary society. I have met fascinating people that I am sure I would never have come in contact with were it not for Sigma Xi. Because I believe in the Society, I give of my time freely to support its efforts. I have served as a chapter officer and as a member of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership. I have enjoyed serving as a judge for the student poster session and as a general resource for Sigma Xi staff whenever they think I can be of service. I am a regular attendee at the annual meeting, and have been an active and vocal member of both my region and my constituency group, and now I would like the opportunity to serve my region in a formal capacity. I would like to faciliate bringing our region together around a common endeavor, which may be as simple as facilitating communication amongst chapters. I would appreciate your support.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Kelly has been a member of Sigma Xi since 1996. She served as the Omaha Chapter's Secretary/Treasurer, then Vice-President, and briefly as President before moving to the Tri-Cities. She is a member of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership, and a ready resource whenever Sigma Xi staff call upon her.

Biographical Information: Dr. Kelly Sullivan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in August of 2001, and is currently the Director of University Partnerships, a resource used throughout the Laboratory. She is responsible for developing and maintaining collaborations and partnerships with colleges and universities both regionally and nationally. Prior to coming to PNNL, Dr. Sullivan was a chemistry professor at Mankato State University in Minnesota and at Creighton University in Nebraska. She taught physical and general chemistry, and also directed the Creighton Chemistry Players, a team of faculty and students who brought the excitement of chemistry to children and adults through theatre and music. Her research interests focus on the electronic structure of small molecules and ions. She serves as an advisor to various education-related initiatives and is a speaker on career development for women scientists. Dr. Sullivan received a B.S. in Chemistry from Christian Brothers College and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Texas Tech University. She is a member of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, the American Chemical Society, and the American Geophysical Union, among other professional societies.