Las Vegas, N.M. – Highlands University’s Sigma XI Chapter is hosting a silent auction Feb. 29 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to raise funds for student research.
The public fundraiser for this research society includes Highlands biology professor Ben Nelson’s travelogue presentation, “Backpacking the Brooks Range of Alaska.”
“The money from the silent auction will be used for our Sigma Xi Student Research Fund, which in turn is used to support student research activities across all disciplines of the university,” said biology professor Maureen Romine, president of the Highlands Sigma Xi Chapter. “At Highlands we believe strongly that it is very important to have as many students involved in research as possible including both undergraduates and graduate students.”
Sigma XI is an international research society. In 2014, the Highlands Sigma Xi Chapter received a Program of Excellence Award for its Student Research Fund. Since the fund was established in 2006, approximately 100 Highlands students have received funding for their research.
The students write research proposals for consideration. If they get tapped for a Sigma Xi research scholarship, they work with a faculty adviser on their research.
The Sigma Xi fundraiser is in the Engineering Building, Room 120, 916 11th Street. Light refreshments will be served. Bidding for the silent auction begins at 4:30 p.m., and Nelson’s presentation is at 5:30 p.m.
Romine said some examples of items in the silent auction include artwork like painted plates, belt buckles and hand-woven scarves, home ware like scented candles and edible items like gourmet chocolate. Some of Nelson’s scenic Alaskan photography is also featured in the silent auction.
If you are interested in making a donation for the Sigma Xi silent auction contact Romine at romine_m@nmhu.edu or 505-454-3264.
The Sigma Xi Chapter at Highlands also supports promising young scientists through monetary awards to junior division winners at the Northeastern New Mexico Regional Science Fair that Highlands organizes each year.
The chapter is also active in the university’s annual Research Day. In addition, it sponsors science cafés with faculty for the campus and broader community and faculty lectures with a spotlight on research.
The university’s Sigma Xi Chapter has a long track record of being named for program awards and other honors. In 2014, its chapter was tapped for the Sigma Xi Chapter of Excellence award, an honor earned by only two-to-three percent of the organization’s global network of more than 520 chapters in 100 countries.