2012 Evan Ferguson Award
Nancy Elwess, Ph.D., at the SUNY Plattsburgh Chapter received the Evan Ferguson Award for Service to Sigma Xi on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Dr. Nancy Elwess, of the SUNY Plattsburgh Chapter, embodies the best tradition of service and Sigma Xi is proud to reward her with the prestigious Evan Ferguson Award of 2012. Dr. Elwess is honored for her longstanding service to the SUNY Plattsburg Chapter of Sigma Xi through her leadership as a past president, a past vice president, and most recently, as the secretary of the SUNY Plattsburgh Chapter.
Dr. Elwess received her Ph.D. from the University of Vermont and was elected to Sigma Xi in 1999. Since joining Sigma Xi, she has nominated and mentored 63 research students for membership. She strongly encourages her research students to apply for grants early in their careers, and several have received Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research.
President Obama named Dr. Nancy Elwess a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. She is one of a handful of college faculty from across the country to receive this award.
About the Evan Ferguson Award
Evan Ferguson, known as “Mr. Sigma Xi,” was widely recognized for his commitment and dedication to Sigma Xi’s traditions and mission. A longtime member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, Ferguson joined the staff of Sigma Xi in 1982. During his tenure of twenty-four years on staff, his combination of positive perspective and good nature became the backbone for Sigma Xi’s membership and staff. In memoriam of his life and his dedication to Sigma Xi, the Evan Ferguson Award is rewarded annually to an active member who encompasses the dedication, commitment and outstanding service to their chapter. The recipient is recognized with a certificate, a lifetime subscription to American Scientist magazine and is honored on a Memorial Plaque located at the Sigma Xi Center.