Sigma XI Hosts Panel Discussion on Women in Science October 17

Chestertown, MD, October 3, 2001 — The Washington College Chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, presents the panel discussion, "Barriers to and Opportunities for Women in Science," on Wednesday, October 17, 2001, at 4:30 p.m. in the College's Tawes Theater, Gibson Performing Arts Center. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

The panel–representing women in science from government, academia and industry–will feature Rita Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation, as lead speaker and moderator, accompanied by Dr. Mary Lou Soffa, Professor of Computer Science at University of Pittsburgh and Co-Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research, and Deborah Grubbe, P.E., Corporate Director for Safety and Health at DuPont and past director of DuPont Engineering's 700 person engineering technology organization. The panel will discuss the issues, obstacles and opportunities unique to women developing careers in science, medicine, technology and engineering.

Washington College currently offers bachelor degrees in the scientific fields of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science, environmental studies, anthropology and sociology, economics, and psychology, as well as a master of arts degree in psychology. More than 70 percent of the science degrees at Washington College have been granted to women in recent years.

"Traditionally there have been obstacles to women pursuing careers in science related professions," said Leslie Sherman, Clare Boothe Luce professor of chemistry at the College. "This forum will allow our students to ask women with highly successful careers in the sciences how they have been able to overcome these obstacles, what barriers to women still need to be addressed, and what opportunities are available today."

The Women in Science event is sponsored by the Washington College chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, a non-profit membership society of more than 80,000 scientists and engineers supporting excellence in scientific research, education, science policy, and the public understanding of science.

Additional Link:

Read Dr. Rita Colwell's Remarks From Her Visit to Washington College

College Establishes Sigma Xi Chapter

Society Supports Excellence, Opportunities for Scientific Research and Education

Chestertown, MD, April 17, 2001 — Washington College has been granted a charter to establish a new chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society. The chapter received its charter during an installation ceremony held Tuesday, April 10, 2001 in the College's Casey Academic Center Forum.

"The primary benefits of our Sigma Xi affiliation will be an increased availability of research grant money for faculty and student projects, and opportunity for a greater exchange of ideas and for interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers from other institutions," said Dr. Michael Kerchner, an associate professor in the College's Psychology Department and first president of the newly formed chapter.

Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi is a non-profit membership society of more than 80,000 scientists and engineers elected to the Society because of their research achievements or potential. In addition to publishing the journal American Scientist, Sigma Xi awards annual grants to promising young researchers, holds forums on critical issues at the intersection of science and society, and sponsors a variety of programs supporting honor in science and engineering, science education, science policy and the public understanding of science. The affiliation allows Washington College faculty and students to advance scientific education and research through grants, travel awards, conferences, and visiting scientists.

For the last five years, Dr. Kerchner has been part of a core of faculty working to bring Sigma Xi to the College. "There has been a dedicated core of Washington College faculty, primarily in the natural sciences, working to establish this chapter," he said. "Their three-year plan for the chapter that includes a schedule of events and speakers, membership recruitment strategies, professional development plans, community outreach initiatives, and programs to foster research opportunities for undergraduates demonstrates our commitment to Sigma Xi's ideals."

Officers serving for 2001-2002 will be Michael Kerchner, president; assistant professor of biology Martin Connaughton, president-elect; assistant professor of biology Doug Darnowski, chapter secretary; and assistant professor of chemistry Leslie Sherman, treasurer. For more information on Sigma Xi, visit www.sigmaxi.org.

Washington College Awarded Clare Boothe Luce Professorship

Chestertown, MD, May 24—Washington College has been granted a Clare Boothe Luce Professorship in Chemistry by The Henry Luce Foundation, Inc. of New York. Leslie A. Sherman, an analytical and environmental chemist, will be the first Clare Boothe Luce Professor in the College's history. The CBL Professorship was granted by the Clare Boothe Luce Program Selection Committee and funded through The Henry Luce Foundation.

The Luce grant is designed specifically to enhance the academic careers of women in science, engineering and mathematics. Active in journalism, the theatre and governmental service, the late Clare Boothe Luce created the program to advance her keen interest in helping women achieve their potential. Under the terms of her will, Mrs. Luce established a legacy that benefits women with talent and ambition in areas where they are still largely underrepresented—science and engineering.

"Since women were first admitted to Washington College in 1891, they have challenged cultural attitudes toward women in education, in sports and in professions. We are proud of our record in encouraging women to pursue the baccalaureate as well as careers in the sciences," John S. Toll, President of Washington College said. "The endorsement of our efforts from this prestigious source will enable us to make even greater strides in advancing the causes championed by Clare Boothe Luce." Washington College is a private liberal arts and sciences college located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Founded in 1782 under the patronage of George Washington, it was the first college created in the new nation.

Sherman, a graduate of Carleton College, holds a M.S.C.E. degree in water chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Department of Civil Engineering, and a Ph.D. in soil chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to her teaching and research positions, she has been a program analyst with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a marine science policy fellow for NOAA's National Sea Grant Program. She served with the Peace Corps for two years as a science teacher in Cameroon, West Africa. Most recently, she taught environmental studies, water resources and environmental chemistry.

Sherman will add a strong science component to the College's recently established interdisciplinary major in environmental studies, Frank Creegan, chairman of the Chemistry Department said. In direct response to expressions of interest by students, Sherman will also offer upper level courses in analytical chemistry emphasizing limnology, the scientific study of bodies of freshwater, and marine science. In addition to courses in chemistry, Sherman will develop a freshman seminar focused on women in science.

The Luce grant of $403,548 will support the expenses of the professorship for five years. The College will also provide funding for two student research assistants each summer, as well as one teaching assistant and one student assistant during the academic year.