2008 Assembly of Delegates:
Nominees for President

2008 Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference

November 20-23, 2008
Marriott Renaissance Hotel
Washington, D.C.

Linda Meadows
The Ohio State University
Vice President, Research Foundation
Assistant Vice President for Research
Retired

Dr. Meadows received her doctorate degree from The Ohio State University, where her research was focused on cognition and the problem solving abilities of young children. In particular she was interested in the concepts and programming of video game logic. Dr. Meadows was also drawn to policy making in the research arena and traveled frequently to Washington, D.C. to participate in federal agency public forums. As her experiences widened to include private sector for-profit and not-for-profit research funding, she established a career in research administration.

Dr. Meadows was Vice President of the University's Research Foundation, which administers over a half billion dollars in research funds. She led research development and management initiatives, overseeing systems implementation, regulatory compliance, and the creation of a variety of models to provide resources to researchers at both the proposal and award stage. She was a team leader on many technology transfer projects and contributed substantially to the evolvement of industry/university research models.

Dr. Meadows also served as Assistant Vice President for Research, with responsibility for undergraduate research, research communications, and the interdisciplinary research centers that reported centrally (Mapping, Cognitive Science, Byrd Polar, Materials). She also supported the interdisciplinary research grants funds program and the small grants program, along with the Graduate Research Forum, Undergraduate Research Forum, State Science Fair, Science Olympiad, and Ohio Women in Science projects.

During her tenure she was elected to chair the Midwest Region of the National Council of University Research Administrators and headed a Federal Demonstration Project effort, sponsored by the National Academies, to develop just-in-time proposals for federal funding. She maintained a strong presence in Washington, D.C., especially at the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, where she joined advisory committee meetings and met frequently with program managers. She developed expertise in private foundation funding and guided many proposals to success.

Dr. Meadows also facilitated substantial science education initiatives. These included the National Center for Research on Science Teaching and Learning, the Eisenhower Center, and Project Discovery, which she worked on with Nobel Prize winner Dr. Kenneth Wilson. She helped launch university funding for research seminars for undergraduates, and won a Battelle Science and Technology award for her efforts in promoting the public understanding of science.

Candidate's Statement - Linda K. Meadows

I don't have a history with Sigma Xi that goes back to student days but ever since receiving my honor, I have served the organization with a profound respect. I was President of the Ohio State University Chapter. I have served on the Membership and Qualifications Committee, the Awards Committee, and the Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) Committee. As Director of the North Central Region (second term), I serve on the Board. Recently I served as Executive Director (August 07 - April 08) during our executive search.

I am truly in awe at what Sigma Xi has accomplished and what it continues to achieve. This must be credited to a small but oh so stellar staff and to the dedication and talents of the membership. While I served as ED I did a lot of benchmarking and was quite struck by the comparisons - we have an award winning magazine, a heralded recognition/prize program, the GIAR program, over 500 chapters, and just under 60,000 members. That is quite remarkable!

However, like most other professional associations, we face big challenges. We once had 120,000 members. As you probably know, we devoted a lot of time and energy in2007-2008 to learning from the membership what Sigma Xi needs to do to retain members. The answers were as diverse as our membership, though there was a clear refrain: We have to re-articulate our identity, and demonstrate relevance in the greater society.

Yes, we are an honor society but we stand for much more than that great heritage. Yes, we have an illustrious magazine but is the magazine itself enough to motivate members to pay dues faithfully each year. We have many vibrant, active chapters, but why are some inactive and why is it so hard to recruit new leadership at the local level. We have put our imprint on a number of high visibility initiatives, such as the postdoc survey, but why isn't our footprint more recognizable and more powerfully felt. How are we different from similar organizations.

These questions have been deliberated within the membership, the staff, the Board, and by international leaders in the science community whom we have consulted. The Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, a Sigma Xi member, praised Sigma Xi for its leadership as a symbol of scientific integrity. Others commend it for recognizing the work of scientists, creating an ever growing community of fine minds.

As we were ushered into 2008 on the waves of energy generated by the above referenced discussions, Sigma Xi drew together the multiplicity of perspectives to focus on what would be most meaningful to the membership. This has been a galvanizing gesture - focus on a critical issue in science and science policy. In 2008 it has been water. Chapters everywhere have been hosting science cafes on a water topic. We have a blog, podcasts, and white papers on it. An American Scientist issue will feature it. We have an internationally famous panel addressing it at the annual meeting. By the end of 2008, Sigma Xi will have had an impact in this area.

So what's ahead? Our financial situation is grave. This is primarily because more members are not renewing dues each year than the number of new members we initiate. Expenses are at rock bottom. We do have a building debt and that's part of the issue, but what an asset it is. It's a dilemma. We're turning the corner on re-defining the organization, making it relevant, and inspiring the membership.

We must protect our endowment and we must get an organizational infusion. We need the means to develop a tracking system for our student members and a regular check in system with our students, to ensure they feel valued and connected. We need the means to grow the international membership, which is full of promise. We need the means to make personal contact with members when they stop paying dues. We need the means to give more support to the chapters. We need the means to keep the e-mails up to date. For every 40,000 e-mails, 7,000 will bounce. We are chapter based and that is a great, unique strength. But chapter officers and members cannot do it all. They are incredibly busy and though willing, simply do not have the time. Let's invest a little more in Sigma Xi and allow it to do what we know it can.

If I were elected President, I would help us find the way to make it so. We can do it. Together!

Joseph A. Whittaker
Dean and Professor
School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland

Dr. Whittaker received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1982 where he was actively involved in NASA-supported Remote Sensing research. He subsequently pursued graduate studies at Howard University in the department of Physiology and Biophysics, earning the doctoral degree in 1988. With his main emphasis in Neurophysiology, Dr. Whittaker's worked focused on neurotransmitter interactions and the development of respiratory control. He then joined the laboratory of Professor S.T. Kitai as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Neuroscience Center of Excellence, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, TN where he developed expertise in basal ganglia anatomy and physiology.

With his training in Cellular Electrophysiology, Dr. Whittaker joined the faculty of Howard University in 1991 and subsequently moved to Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) in Atlanta, GA, where he served for 14 years in the Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology as well as Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. While at Morehouse, he spearheaded an initiative to establish the MSM Developmental Neuroscience Program, which drove the design and construction of the current Neuroscience Institute, the first of its kind in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). This research facility subsequently became a prototype for 12 additional NIH-supported Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs currently existing in Minority-serving institutions across the US, including Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska.

Dr. Joseph A. Whittaker is Dean of the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences and Professor of Biology at Morgan State University. He oversees more than 100 faculty members involved in research, training and educational activities in five academic departments. Dr. Whittaker is a devoted teacher, researcher and leader and has been recognized for his many contributions to undergraduate, graduate and medical education as well as to research, faculty and institutional development in several academic institutions.

In addition to his numerous academic and leadership responsibilities, Dr. Whittaker has served at the national level on several scientific review panels and committees. These include panels at the National Science Foundation, the Center for Disease Control, the National Academy of Sciences & National Institutes of Health, in addition to Advisory Committees at several institutions across the US. Most recently, he has served on the NIH/NCRR Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) panel and the Scientific and Technical Review Board on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Facilities (STRB). In addition, he has been a member of the Cell Death in Neurodegeneration (CDIN); Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters (CNNT); and, the NIMH developmental K99 Awards Study Sections. Dr. Whittaker also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Central Maryland March of Dimes and the East Baltimore Incubator Corporation (EBIC).

Candidate's Statement - Joseph A. Whittaker

I have been a member of Sigma Xi for 20 years, since my induction as a graduate student in 1988. The overt commitment and dedication of my faculty mentors to Sigma Xi at that time, was a major source of inspiration and motivation for me to remain engaged in science as well as with the Society. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve two terms as Associate Director of the At-large Constituency and as a current member of the Committee on Qualifications and Membership. The lessons learned and experiences gained through my 20-year membership and associations with other distinguished members of the Society, have been pivotal in guiding my own career achievements.

I believe I will bring a strong sense of leadership to the Society; with the experience and capability of planning, implementing and successfully guiding major projects to completion through collaboration and consensus-building. As such, my vision for Sigma Xi is one that will leverage and build on the stellar accomplishments of the prior leadership. Together, we must ensure Sigma Xi retains its historic and distinctive identity and presence while simultaneously working to increase its visibility and membership, through sustainable research, education, professional development and multi-level outreach activities.

In the current 'knowledge economy' and era of rapidly changing demographics, we are in dire need of expanded efforts in educational outreach. A most important objective should be the training and development of a new generation to move or carry the mission of Sigma Xi forward. To accomplish this, we must commit and become fully engaged in education and training at all levels, from middle school through post-graduate studies, which will eventually impact the organization's long-term membership and fiscal sustainability. By the very nature of the make-up of its membership, Sigma Xi is already poised to take the lead in this endeavor. Significant considerations should be given towards building the infrastructure to better engage graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in scientific, professional and leadership developmental activities immediately relevant to their needs. This may prove critical and most effective in terms of impact on declining membership trends.

Moreover, we have the responsibility to engender in the next generation of scientists, the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, lead ethically and succeed professionally.

To bring my vision into reality for all members and constituencies of Sigma Xi, we must work toward the following goals and objectives:

• Long term community engagement through increased awareness of issues facing the organization:
  1. Broaden the scientific community via strategic partnerships.
  2. Create avenues/strategies to better engage At-Large and members globally.
  3. Scientific &related issues facing underrepresented groups.
• Ethics/Professional Development
  1. Focus on educating today and tomorrow's workforce & professionals through workshops and scientific sessions.
  2. Professional development and leadership activities.
• Advance scientific (STEM) education pathways at all levels:
  1. Assist in providing practical tools to increase science/math content in K-12 curriculum.
  2. Convening, mobilizing and engaging science teachers in professional development activities.
• Increase diversity at all levels of Sigma Xi membership and governance.
• Improve retention of student members.
  1. Workshops, training, and mentoring.
  2. Targeted communications.
• Increase overall fiscal resources.
• Develop strategies to increase the level of engagement of members during the annual meeting:
  1. Scientific
  2. Business/Operations/Policy
  3. Training/Career Development

The challenges ahead are many; they are complex and global. However, this is a time of great opportunity; a time to approach these challenges with the zeal and creativity that is characteristic of the scientific endeavor, which we know so well. While it will take our collective efforts to ensure continued growth and sustainability, I welcome the opportunity to lead Sigma Xi at this time as we look towards the future.

My commitment to the mission and ideals of Sigma Xi remains steadfast and my hope is that you, as members, will allow me to work cooperatively with you in moving the Society, its goals, and mission, forward.

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