Jeffrey Vitter

Presidential Candidate

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I am passionate about the power of higher education to transform lives, communities, and the world. It provides individuals — and their generations to come — with productive futures and self-esteem. A major priority for me is to increase pathways to education for all.

The research component of higher education — especially in science, engineering, and medicine — plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and long-term economic prosperity. It also provides students with invaluable experiences in initiative, ethics, and independence. It turns a good education into a great education. It motivates me to serve as Sigma Xi president.

The research mission unfortunately faces many challenges these days in government funding and public trust. As Sigma Xi president, I hope to leverage my leadership experiences in garnering bipartisan support for students and ethical research. Much can be achieved through communication and partnerships with like-minded organizations.

I’ve been a member of Sigma Xi for 42 years and have represented my universities at several Sigma Xi chapter events. I have substantial leadership experience in major research and educational organizations and have worked hard to boost research, philanthropy, and communication. For example, I have overseen major conferences and activities both in the USA and internationally as ACM SIGACT chair and frequent editor. I served on the NSF CISE Directorate Advisory Committee, and for 15 years I co-chaired the Computing Research Association's government affairs committee, which helped boost Federal research funding.

As KU provost, in a statewide budget-cutting climate, I proposed and successfully led lobbying efforts for state recurring funding of 12 distinguished professorships oriented around crosscutting research priorities. At Purdue, I raised major funds for computer science and structural biology buildings. As University of Mississippi chancellor, I led collaborative efforts against great odds to revise state statutes to allow UM Medical Center to form public-private partnerships that enhance healthcare. I also led efforts for increased state funding and philanthropic support at UM for academic facilities and priorities.

In summary, as Sigma Xi president, I hope to utilize my leadership and financial experience in these crucial times to boost the vitality of Sigma Xi and its important mission.

Jeffrey Vitter

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