The material in the Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, University of Michigan Chapter records is dated from 1903 to 2002 and includes audiovisual material, committee and chronological files, correspondence, membership records, minutes, programs of annual banquets, reports, topical files, and treasurer's records. The records primarily document the activities of the University of Michigan chapter and the involvement of Peggie J. Hollingsworth in Sigma Xi's national organization.
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, is a science and engineering honor society that was founded at Cornell University in 1886. The University of Michigan chapter of Sigma Xi, originally known as the Michigan chapter, was chartered in May 1903 by 35 faculty and graduates of the university. At its March 24, 1904, business meeting, its members voted to accept women into their ranks. Consequently, of the 29 students and five faculty members elected at that meeting, six were women. By 1956, the chapter had elected more than 5,400 members since its founding.
The chapter's membership decisions and qualifications have changed in several ways over the years. Prior to 1913, for example, membership decisions were determined by vote of the entire chapter. Beginning in 1913, the council alone determined who joined the Michigan chapter. Additionally, for the first decade of its existence, admission for undergraduates was based on their scholarship while graduates and faculty were admitted based on their research. Starting in 1914, the University of Michigan chapter began advocating for a new admittance classification that included an "associate membership" for those who showed research potential. By 1920, the national organization formally adopted this classification. Sigma Xi also figured in the movement to establish a grading system at the university in the early twentieth century.
The chapter has hosted or been involved in different kinds of activities since its founding, including an annual banquet that celebrates the induction of new members as well as various lectures and lecture series. The organization has also distributed science-focused awards over the years, including a Teacher of the Year Award for local educators.
Numerous University of Michigan community members have participated in the chapter's leadership since 1903. One of those individuals is Peggie J. Hollingsworth, who was involved in the chapter's various committees and served in several leadership roles, including as president from 1988-1990. She was also involved in the national organization, where she participated as a member and/or chair of various committees—including its Committee on Diversity—and the organization's Board of Directors (1989-1992). Hollingsworth later served as the president of Sigma Xi's national organization from 1999-2000. She was the first female African American president of the honor society.
The president of the University of Michigan chapter in October 2022 was Dr. Henry Buchtel.
