Sigma Xi selects 'U' scientist as president

Sigma Xi, one of the largest organizations of scientists and engineers in the world, recently elected its first black woman president - University research scientist Peggie Hollingsworth.

Hollingsworth, a pharmacology and environmental-industrial health assistant research scientist, will officially take the organization's reigns July 1, 1999, but will begin serving in a president-elect role on July 1, 1998.

"We are delighted to have a woman and an African-American serve as our president," said Robert Frosch, current Sigma Xi president and a senior research fellow at the Center for Science and International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Only three women have proceeded Hollingsworth as president of the scientific research society, and no other black person has served in that capacity.

"It is truly an honor because I have been given the vote of confidence," Hollingsworth said.

Since Sigma Xi is primarily composed of white men, "to have a person of color serve as president indicates the wisdom of our membership," Hollingsworth said.

The honor society has an international membership of nearly 90,000 people. There are about 500 chapters at universities, industrial research centers and government laboratories around the world.

More than 170 Sigma Xi members have won the Nobel Prize, and each year, the Society initiates an estimated 5,000 members.

During her reign, Hollingsworth said she plans to improve communication levels within the organization, provide scholarships, enhance mentorship, establish a system to honor outstanding individuals and make the Society more visible.

Hollingsworth said Sigma Xi currently strives to encourage support of original work in science and technology, promote both appreciation of the role research has played in human progress and interaction among science, technology and society.

"We're excited and honored to have Peggie serve as our president," said Engineering Prof. Stacey Bike.

Hollingsworth is an active member of numerous organizations both within and outside the University.

She is the chair of the University's Committee on Diversity and member of the National Board of Directors of Sigma Xi. She also serves on the Alumni Association Board of Trustees of Bowling Green State.

She is also the president of the University's Academic Freedom Lecture Fund and is a founding member and treasurer of the Coalition for the Advancement of Blacks in the Biomedical Sciences.

"I never get bored ... my life is being enriched every day," explained Hollingsworth.

She is also the recipient of several prestigious academic awards and has received a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, a master's degree in molecular biology, and a Ph.D. in toxicology.

"I work towards being a good citizen and try to strengthen the society in which I live," Hollingsworth said. "A healthy environment makes a person psychologically happier."

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