Welcome to the ΣΞ Chapter at New Jersey Institute of Technology
Sigma Xi was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a group of engineering students and a junior faculty member, Frank VanVleck. From the beginning, the founders emphasized that the new scientific honor society would be very broad in its outlook, devoted to all of science and engineering. Cornell geology professor Henry Shaler Williams soon became the fledgling society's chief mentor, serving as the first elected president and a leader of the growing organization until the turn of the century.
Sigma Xi was designed to reward excellence in scientific research and to encourage a sense of companionship and cooperation among scientists in all fields. In selecting a name and motto for the new honor society, the founders chose a combination of Greek letters--Sigma Xi--not being used by any other group. Later, a motto based on these initials was developed to confirm its purpose: Spoudon xynones, or "Companions in Zealous Research."
The New Jersey Chapter (195) was given its official charter in 1976. This was preceded by the Newark College of Engineering Sigma Xi Club founded in 1966.