The Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society Grant

The Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Sigma Xi
Last Updated: December 22, 2025

Summary

The Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society, established in 2008, honors outstanding contributions to Sigma Xi and its mission. Named after Evan R. Ferguson, known for his dedication to the Society, the award recognizes members, affiliates, and friends who exemplify commitment to Sigma Xi's traditions. Recipients receive a certificate and have their names engraved on the prestigious Evan Ferguson plaque at headquarters, celebrating their service and commitment to promoting science and research.

Overview

Evan R. Ferguson (1944-2007) Known as "Mr. Sigma Xi," Evan Ferguson was widely fergusonrecognized for his commitment and dedication to Sigma Xi's traditions and mission. His insights into the Society's history were crucial to understanding and realizing its potential. In his 24 years on the staff, Ferguson's combination of perspective and good nature was a mainstay for members, staff and the Society as a whole. He retired from his position as Deputy Executive Director in 2006. For many years, his main areas of responsibility included Sigma Xi's educational activities on both the undergraduate and K-12 levels. More recently, Ferguson managed five primary program areas at the Sigma Xi Center: research ethics, science and engineering education, the public understanding of science, international networking and the health of the research enterprise. He also served as acting executive director in 2001-02. A native of Nebraska and Pennsylvania, Ferguson received his A.B. in biology at Lafayette College, his M.S. in zoology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his Ph.D. in physiology at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He was a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine from 1976-1978, after which he joined the faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas as a research assistant professor of medicine and director of the Cell Physiology Laboratories at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. His career also included serving as a research scientist at Warner-Lambert Research Institute in Morris Plains, New Jersey. In 1982, he joined the staff of Sigma Xi. The Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society Beginning in 2008, Sigma Xiferguson_award will present the Evan Ferguson Award annually in recognition of outstanding service to the Society and its mission. The recipient will receive a certificate and will have their name engraved on the Evan Ferguson plaque at headquarters.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The award is open to any Sigma Xi member, affiliate, staff member, or friend of the Society.