April 2009
Sigma Xi Emeritus Member Newsletter
Emeritus Member eBlast is a monthly e-newsletter. We always welcome your contributions.
N.B.: Dates in parenthesis after Members' names denotes their year of induction into Sigma Xi.
IN THIS ISSUE
SIGMA XI'S YEAR OF ENERGY 2009
Energy is the focus of Sigma Xi's Critical Issues in Science series in 2009. We are now accepting white papers, blogs and entries for a student short film competition. Our plans also include science cafés, podcasts and a themed annual meeting in Houston, Texas, November 12-15. Visit our new energy site for more information: http://energy.sigmaxi.org
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LISTEN TO THE WORLD SCIENCE PODCAST
Every Friday, The World Science Podcast brings you the best science news from around the globe. This new program is part of an NSF-funded collaboration between Public Radio International and Sigma Xi. As part of the show, Sigma Xi's ELSA YOUNGSTEADT chats with host DAVID KOHN about the week's top headlines from our daily Science in the News e-newsletter, now in its 11th year. To listen in, visit: http://www.theworld.org/rss/science.xml
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FIRST REGIONAL SIGMA XI GATHERING MAY 14-16 IN RTP, NC
May 6 is the registration deadline for the first regional gathering of Sigma Xi members May 14-16 at the Society's headquarters in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The gathering will feature professional seminars, colloquia based on member interests and speakers designed to challenge members at all life and professional stages. Emeritus members are invited to attend a free financial assessment and planning resource course from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on either Thursday, May 14, or Friday, May 15. The goal is to host two additional gatherings during 2009, most likely in Southern California and Boston. For more information, visit: http://sigmaxi.org/member/seminars/index.shtml
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SEND US A LINK TO YOUR SCIENCE BLOG
We've receiveda number of links to members' science blogs and will be posting these soon on the Sigma Xi Web site. If you have a blog about science or technology that you would like us to include, send a brief summary (50 words) of what the blog is about and a link to it to: aporter@sigmaxi.org
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
RICHARD I. SCHOEN (1951) of Falls Church, Virginia, writes that he is part of a group of retired scientists and engineers who have volunteered to aid teachers in Fairfax County middle schools. "We can use more volunteers," he says. "Come join us." The contact is DAVID VENEZKY (1956): dvenez@cox.net.
From CHARLOTTE R. WARD (1951), emeriti associate professor of physics at Auburn University, comes this report: "The Osher Institute at Auburn University began more than 15 years ago as a local program called AUALL: the Auburn University Academy for Lifelong Learners. From its beginning, it has offered one or more science classes each term. One of the first was based on Jacob Bronowski's BBC series, "The Ascent of Man." Retired chemistry Professor MARSHALL BAKER was the first to offer the course to retirees. I succeeded him as its teacher when I retired 15 years ago. This year, thanks to Osher Foundation funding, I am able to afford the Teaching Company's excellent DVDs, "The Joy of Science," done by ROBERT M. HAZEN (1970) of George Mason University. People of my generation did not get much exposure to science in school, nor in college unless they were science majors. Science courses such as these are consistently popular with our members. They want to understand the ideas of modern science and fill in the gaping holes in their education. My 30 years of teaching general science courses as well as undergraduate physics has served me well as preparation for making science understandable and interesting to my contemporaries. I encourage other Sigma Xi Seniors to find such opportunities. My e-mail address is w_cutis@bellsouth.net if anyone would like more information on such courses.
Do you know of other volunteer opportunities in your area? Let us know! We'll pass along the information in future eBlasts.
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WEALTH PRESERVATION AND PHILANTHROPIC PLANNING
For the most up-to-date wealth preservation and philanthropic planning information and news, go to http://sigmaxi.giftlegacy.com and click on "Finance News."
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SIGMA XI MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
ANNIE LAURA SMITH (1963) of Huntsville, Alabama, writes that Dancing Fox Publishing recently accepted two of her novels for publication. "Cavalaire Prelude" is about Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France during WWII. This novel follows her earlier published WWII trilogy, which includes "The Legacy of Bletchley Park," "Will Paris Burn?" and "Saving da Vinci," and chronicles events that led to the end of the war. "Twilight of Honor" is about the journey of a widow after the loss of her husband during the Vietnam War. In addition, Exclamation! Publishers included her article about German theologian DIETRICH BONHOEFFER in an anthology called "Leaflets of Our Resistance."
ASAD M. MADNI (2007), president and chief operating officer (retired) of BEI Technologies, Inc. in Los Angeles, will receive the degree of Doctor of Science (DSc.) Honoris Causa from Ryerson University in Toronto on June 12, the highest award bestowed by the university. He will also be the commencement speaker this spring at the California State University, Northridge, College of Engineering and Computer Science. In 2008, he was awarded the IEEE Region 6 (Western US) Outstanding Engineer Award "for pioneering contributions to and visionary leadership in the development and commercialization of intelligent sensors and systems for aerospace, automotive and industrial applications."
CRAIG BEYROUTY (1983) has been named dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University.
LOIS T. ELLISON (1976) has been recognized as an outstanding alumna of the University System of Georgia celebrating her 65-plus-year affiliation with the Medical College of Georgia.
MICHAEL G. TANNENBAUM (1984) in the School of Science at Marist College has been appointed provost and vice president of academic affairs at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.
JACK S. BRENIZER, JR. (1981), J. 'Lee' Everett Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and chairman of the nuclear engineering program at the Pennsylvania State University, has received the Award of Merit and its accompanying title of fellow from ASTM International, which is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities. Brenizer was cited "for exemplary technical and administrative leadership and contributions to Committee E07 on Nondestructive Testing, leading to global adoption of ASTM International standards on neutron radiology."
KENNETH E. MANCHESTER (1950) of Princeton, Massachusetts, has been elected to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place in May at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Manchester worked with fellow 2009 inductee JOHN MACDOUGALL at Sprague Electronics to develop a commercially viable method of ion implantation, a process in which a silicon wafer is bombarded with ionized atoms to change the electrical conductivity of certain areas, called "doping." Ion implantation is the dominant doping method in the production of integrated circuits.
NISHANT PRASHANT SHAH (2009) has been named a valedictorian for the 2009 spring commencement at North Carolina State University. He will also receive the Phi Kappa Phi medallion from the N.C. State Chapter of the honor society.
Retired Army Colonel JOHN MERCIER (1991) this month became division director in the Center for National Security and Intelligence at Noblis, Inc., a non-profit science, technology and strategy organization in Falls Church, Virginia. He will be responsible for leading efforts to assist government in dealing with counter weapons threats and proliferation. Mercier earned a Ph.D. in radiological physics from the University of Texas, a master's degree in nuclear engineering from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Texas.
For more news items about Sigma Xi members, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/about/news/mitn.shtml
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SIGMA XI AFFINITY PROGRAMS
Your Society offers a number of affinity programs that include stimulating opportunities for travel and reduced rates on auto insurance and car rentals, among other benefits. For more information, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/member/membersonly/index.shtml
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AUTOMATIC ANNUAL DUES RENEWAL
Many Sigma Xi members are opting for the convenience of automatic membership renewal. You can now have your annual dues paid automatically every year via credit card or bank draft. An e-mail notification of the dues deduction will be sent to you after your credit card or bank account has been charged. For more information, visit: http://www.sigmaxi.org/member/dues/autopay.shtml
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WHAT'S YOUR NEWS?
Let us hear from you! We always welcome your contributions to our eBlasts. development@sigmaxi.org
Interim Editor: Charles Blackburn
cblackburn@sigmaxi.org
919-547-5212, or 800-243-6534, ext. 212
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
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Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
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