The Mississippi State chapter of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society is among 10 nationally cited for superior performance last year.

The chapter, which has around 120 members, recently received a "certificate of excellence" from the organization of more than 80,000 scientists and engineers throughout the United States and Canada. The honor is the highest bestowed on local chapters.

Other top chapters in 1998 included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Clemson University, Ford Motor Co., Howard University, South Dakota State University, Southern Illinois at Carbondale, and Texas A&M University, as well as groups in Tifton, Ga., and Vermont.

Sigma Xi has more than 500 local organizations at universities and colleges, government laboratories, and industrial research centers.

Chartered in 1966, MSU's chapter includes faculty members in engineering, the sciences, and the social sciences.

Among the 1998 MSU programs was a panel discussion (co-sponsored with the Office of the Provost) that examined reforms of undergraduate science education. The chapter also sponsors a monthly speakers series and an annual awards recognition program, and maintains a web site at <http://www.msstate.edu/org/sigmaxi/sigmaxi.html>.