2007 Assembly of Delegates:
Baccalaureate Colleges Constituency Representative to the Committee on Nominations

November 1-4, 2007
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and Golf Club
Orlando, Florida

Name: John N. Mager

Present Position: Assistant Professor
Organization: Ohio Northern University

Address: Department of Biological & Allied Health Sciences
Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH 45810
United States

Telephone: 419-772-2333
E-mail: j-mager@onu.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Ohio Northern University Chapter

Candidate's Statement: It is my privilege to be nominated to represent the Baccalaureate chapters in Sigma XiÆs Committee on Nominations. Sigma Xi has been an integral part of my young career both academically and professionally, and I hope my contributions to the Nominating Committee will advance the societyÆs commitment to integrative scientific research at all academic levels. I pledge to dutifully represent the interests of the Baccalaureate institutions in receiving, deliberating, and fairly electing nominees for the offices of President and Treasurer as required by the society.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: I am the current president of ONU chapter. I have assisted in the organization of chapterÆs monthly seminar series & invited plenary speaker (Dr. Richard Lee, Miami University), participation in Ohio Academy of Science District Science Day activities, Ada Junior High School Regional Science Day, & Ohio Northern UniversityÆs Undergraduate Research Colloquium. I received my B.A. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from Hiram College in 1992, my M.S. in Zoology from Miami University in1995, and my Ph.D. in Neurobiology & Behavior at Cornell University in 2005.

Biographical Information: Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological & Allied Health Sciences at Ohio Northern University, located in Ada, Ohio, where I serve as president of the local chapter of Sigma Xi. My research interests are in behavioral ecology, and my principal research interests are in acoustic communication of endangered/threatened birds, with specific interests in Common Loons (Gavia immer). At Ohio Northern, I currently teach courses in Introductory Biology and Zoology, Ecology, Ornithology, as well as freshman orientation courses in the College of Arts and Science. When not working, I spend as much time as I can with my wife, Christine, and my fourteen-month-old daughter, Katheryn.

Name: Nancy F. Smith

Present Position: Associate Professor of Marine Science and Biology
Organization: Eckerd College

Address: Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory
4200 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
United States

Telephone: 727-864-8440
E-mail: smithnf@eckerd.edu

Chapter Affiliation: Eckerd College Chapter

Candidate's Statement: As scientists and faculty at baccalaureate institutions, we have a great responsibility to encourage and promote understanding of science in our campus community and to the general public. By increasing awareness of science and its applications, this can lead to a better understanding of our world, which is fundamental to solving many of the complex global problems we face today. With progressive leadership, such a vision can be realized through various Sigma Xi programs and activities. If elected, I will do be best to identify candidates who are passionately supportive of the society’s mission and who embrace the challenge of developing ways of encouraging greater collaboration among members and chapters.

Sigma Xi and Other Activities: Eckerd College chapter president (2004, 2005, 2007) and secretary-treasurer (2006). As chapter president, I have hosted 17 speakers, including 2 Distinguished Sigma Xi Lecturers; hosted President-elect Jim Baur to develop ideas to strengthen the chapter; and inducted more than 50 new members. Delegate to the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting (2004, 2007). Served on the Credentials Committee for the 2004 Sigma Xi meeting. Created web pages for the Eckerd College chapter (http://www.eckerd.edu/academics/sigmaxi)

Biographical Information: Current position: Associate Professor of Marine Science and Biology, Eckerd College. Education: Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1999; M.S. Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1997; B. S. Zoology, University of Washington, 1993. Publications and meetings: Peer-reviewed papers in Journal of Parasitology, Oeceologia, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2 book chapters on larval biology, and more than 10 oral presentations at scientific conferences. Grant funding: U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Smithsonian Institution, PADI Foundation, American Malacological Society, and Eckerd College Natural Science Summer Research Program. Awards: Link-Foundation Fellow, Smithsonian Marine Station Fellow. Research interests: marine invertebrate ecology with a focus on parasite-host interactions, disease ecology, host life history evolution, and marine bioinvasions. I have directed numerous undergraduate research projects, including a GIAR project.