History of Xi Sigma Pi Wood Tree Examples Qualifications of a Professional Natural Resources Manager Constitution of the Society of Xi Sigma Pi Xi Sigma Pi USU Membership List

Lambda Chapter   Utah State University

Welcome to our new 2007-2008 Members!

Xi Sigma Pi was founded in 1908 at the University of Washington as an honor society meant to recognize excellence among students of traditional forest management. The Lambda Chapter of Utah State University, formed in 1939, has expanded its view of forest management to recognize fields such as fisheries and wildlife management, and outdoor recreation as integral parts. In keeping with the stated national goals of the society, the Lambda Chapter seeks both to recognize and encourage academic excellence among students of the College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.

All juniors and seniors in the College with a GPA of 3.0 or above are invited to join Xi Sigma Pi. After a short initiation period, new members are free to participate in any of Xi Sigma Pi's activities, most of which provide services to the College. Members participate in and represent the College of Natural Resources at college and University sponsored functions.

Xi Sigma Pi
Department of Natural Resources
Utah State University
5200 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-5200

Advisor: Dr. Fred Baker

History

The objectives of Xi Sigma Pi are to secure and maintain a high standard of scholarship in forestry and natural resource professions, and to promote a fraternal spirit among those engaged in activities related to these fields.

The society existed as a local honor society until 1915 when a new constitution creating an executive council was adopted.  The original chapter at the University of Washington was designated Alpha.  With the advent of Beta at Michigan State University in 1916 and of Gamma at the University of Main in 1917, the society spanned the continent!  A period of consolidation largely concentrated West of the Mississippi followed.  Delta and Epsilon at the Universities of Minnesota and Idaho respectively were founded during 1920.  Zeta at Oregon State University entered in 1921.  In 1924, Eta was installed at Pennsylvania State University.  Theta was born at the University of California in 1925.  Iota, chartered at the Pennsylvania State Forest School in 1927 placed two chapters in one state for the first time.  In 1929 this school was discontinued and Iota became permanently inactive.  Kappa's chartering at Purdue University in 1934 closed this ear.

From 1939 through 1952 the number of active chapters doubled.  Six of the nine chapters acquired were East of the Mississippi.  Lambda was installed at Utah State University in 1939.  Mu, the first chapter in the South, was added in 1940 at North Carolina State.  That same year Nu, the second southern chapter, became established at Louisiana State University.  The advent of Xi, at the University of Georgia in 1941 and of Pi at the University of Florida in 1948 strongly entrenched Xi Sigma Pi in the South.  Omicron, Colorado State was installed in 1943.  This development phase culminated in 1952 with the society’s first "tri-chapter" year!  Rho, West Virginia University, Sigma, Auburn University, and Tau at the University of Missouri collaborated in this event.

The present era opened in 1958 when Upsilon was installed at the University of Michigan.  Symbolically this represented a historical tying together of the past and the present in the entities of Beta and Upsilon.  Growth during this period has been general but perhaps the most noteworthy aspect has been a bolstering in section where Xi Sigma Pi had been relatively weak.  Phi was established at Montana State University in 1960.  Two chapters, Chi and Psi were chartered in 1962 at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Massachusetts respectively.  On October 16, 1964 the first trip through the alphabet was completed when Omega was installed at Southern Illinois University.  A new start was not delayed.  On January 6, 1965, Alpha Alpha was chartered at the University of Illinois.  Some significance might be attached to the fact that this alphabetical ending and beginning occurred near the center of the nation!  Alpha Beta, Clemson University and Alpha Gamma at Iowa State University rounded out 1965, the society's second "tri-chapter" year.  The chartering of Alpha Delta at Washington State University on May 9, 1966 reinforced the historic tie between the past and present.  This was followed, three days later, by the installation of Alpha Epsilon at the University of New Hampshire.  The addition of chapters in three consecutive years is another society first!  The next thirteen years gave birth to twelve additional chapters.   Alpha Zeta was installed at Stephen f. Austin State University in 1968.  Two chapters, Alpha Eat at Michigan Technological University and Alpha Theta at Mississippi State University followed in 1971.  Alpha Kappa at the University of Tennessee was next in 1972 with Alpha Lambda at Humboldt University installed in 1973.  The Sooner State was next in line chartering the Alpha Mu chapter at Oklahoma State University in 1973 and Alpha Nu at the University of Wisconsin at Madison early in 1974.  1975 was the second banner year for the new chapters with three being installed that year; Alpha Xi at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, Alpha Omicron at the University of Vermont, and Alpha Pi at Northern Arizona University.  The University of Kentucky was next in line for a charter establishing the Alpha Rho chapter there in 1976 followed by the Alpha Sigma chapter at Texas A&M University in 1978.  That brought the number of chapters to 40, just 6 short of doubling in size.  March 3. 1980 represented the most recent landmark in Xi Sigma Pi's history.  On that date the first international chapter, Alpha Tau, was granted a charger at he University of Alberta, Canada.  Little more that a month later the Alpha Upsilon chapter at California Polytechnic State University became the third Xi Sigma Pi chapter in the state of California making it the most recent addition to our growing chapter role.

Recent accomplishments include the placing of membership rolls on tabulating cards.  An agreement to become International was effected.  The Constitution, Rituals, and Bylaws were extensively revised.  The society became a full-fledged member of "The Association of College Honor Societies."  A decision was made to contribute to the endowment fund of the Society of American Foresters.  The establishment of a national technical paper contest was approved.  A regional scholarship awards program was initiated to recognize excellence in forestry academic achievements.  Participating chapters select five regional winners.

Members of the society have proven themselves to possess the important characteristics that will help them grow into natural resources professionals: honesty, loyalty, initiative, and teamwork.

Wood Tree Examples

Qualifications of a Professional Natural Resources Manager

Constitiution of the Society of Xi Sigma Pi

Xi Sigma Pi Membership List