The winter ARCS National Board Meeting was held on January 22–25 in Tempe, Arizona, with 46 leaders and guests from 15 chapters in attendance. For the first time, the meeting took place at an ARCS partner institution, Arizona State University.

Arizona State University (ASU) Biodesign Institute

Dr. Joshua LaBaer, Executive Director of the Biodesign Institute, spoke about the vision behind the institute and the university’s expansion of its interdisciplinary programs. Following Dr. LaBaer’s presentation, attendees toured two labs in the institute, where ARCS Scholars discussed their research. Read more about the ASU Biodesign Institute and ARCS Scholar Mariana Lanzarini-Lopes.

2020 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir was announced as the 2020 Alumni Hall of Fame inductee for the research she is conducting on the International Space Station (ISS) enabling long-duration human space missions, and for her historic all-female spacewalk inspiring girls and young women to pursue STEM careers in the future. View the media release and presentation announcing Jessica Meir as the 2020 inductee into the ARCS Alumni Hall of Fame.

Philanthropy Participation

The National Board reported that the 2019 #GivingTuesday campaign was the most successful to date! Participation increased by 13 percent from last year, with gifts from members, scholar alumni, and friends. The median gift was $125.00.

Newly Approved University Departments

The University Relations Committee announced the approval of four additional university departments as eligible for ARCS Foundation funding. Requests for approval of these departments were submitted by the Minnesota, Northern California, and Oregon chapters.

Science and Engineering Advisory Council (SEAC)

SEAC met with the ARCS National leadership team for an open dialogue concerning the draft of two white papers: Evaluating Interdisciplinary Research Programs and Engaging with ARCS Scholar Alumni.

Open Forum

The open forum included reports from the Finance Committee, Governance Committee, and Operations, as well as a presentation on “Who Is a Fiduciary? Why It Matters to You? The California Attorney General’s Guide to Charities.” The presentation is posted on the National Members’ intranet website.  

Other Activities

The meeting was not all business! Many thanks to Sandra and Anna Maria Matteucci and Dawn Carson Senger, of the Phoenix Chapter, for hosting an enjoyable dinner on Thursday evening. We appreciate Dawn and her husband, Erston, opening up their lovely home and giving us the opportunity to see their many collections. And although we missed her smiling face, we spoke with Sandra Matteucci often during the week. Dawn also arranged for the group to gather for drinks amidst camaraderie on the patio at House of Tricks, where they later had a fabulous dinner.

The Board meeting on Saturday became unexpectedly exciting when the building was evacuated due to a noxious odor!  While the fire department checked throughout the building, the Board continued the meeting outside in the sun. We were allowed back in building in time to wrap up the day’s events in a timely fashion.

We are now looking forward to the June 2020 National Board meeting in Pittsburgh!