May 26, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sigma Xi honored Barrett Hazeltine with the Society’s 2026 Evan Ferguson Award during a special retirement ceremony held Friday, May 22, 2026, at Brown University. The award recognizes exceptional service and leadership within Sigma Xi chapters and was presented in recognition of Hazeltine’s decades of dedication to the Brown University chapter of Sigma Xi, one of the Society’s most active and successful chapters.
For many years, Hazeltine served as the driving force behind the Brown chapter, helping build a culture of research recognition and scholarly community that consistently resulted in more than 200 new Sigma Xi nominations annually. Under his stewardship, the chapter became one of the Society’s top nominating chapters, introducing generations of students and faculty researchers to Sigma Xi membership and fostering lasting engagement with scientific research and mentorship.
The ceremony brought together family members, colleagues, former students, and members of the Brown community to celebrate Hazeltine’s extraordinary career and service. Current chapter president David Targan recognized Hazeltine’s longstanding leadership and commitment to the chapter, while Sigma Xi President Dan Rubenstein formally presented the Evan Ferguson Award on behalf of the Society.
A professor emeritus in engineering, Hazeltine joined the Brown faculty in 1959 and went on to hold several major leadership roles at the university, including serving as dean of the College, dean of engineering, and provost. Throughout those roles, he became known as a champion for interdisciplinary education, innovation, and student mentorship. His popular ENGN 9 course on leadership, entrepreneurship, and technology inspired generations of students and helped launch numerous business, nonprofit, and social impact ventures.
His leadership also helped expand the reach and impact of Sigma Xi beyond Brown’s campus. Through affiliations between the Brown chapter and partner institutions including Bryant University and Tougaloo College, a Historically Black College and University in Mississippi, Hazeltine helped create additional opportunities for faculty and students to participate in chapter activities and become members of Sigma Xi. Those collaborations strengthened research engagement across institutions and reflected Hazeltine’s longstanding commitment to broadening access to scientific communities and mentorship.
Throughout his career, Hazeltine received numerous honors recognizing both his teaching and mentorship, including Brown University’s prestigious Susan Colver Rosenberger Medal of Honor. He has also earned international recognition for his contributions to engineering education, leadership, and innovation.
The Evan Ferguson Award adds another distinction to a career defined by service, mentorship, and a deep commitment to advancing scientific research communities. For Sigma Xi and the Brown chapter alike, Hazeltine’s impact will continue through the thousands of researchers, students, and colleagues whose lives and careers he helped shape.