News

Invite to Ignite Celebrates Membership Growth
ARCS Foundation’s Invite to Ignite challenge celebrated chapters making significant strides in growing their membership. The annual challenge recognizes the three chapters with the highest percentage increase in dues-paying members and awards funds to support future recruitment, retention, and member appreciation efforts.

This year, ARCS Utah took first place with an impressive 80% membership increase, adding 16 new members and earning a $2,000 prize. ARCS Honolulu placed second with 62% growth, receiving $1,500, while ARCS Minnesota earned third place with 41% growth and a $1,000 prize.

Congratulations to these chapters for strengthening the ARCS community and helping build an even greater network of members committed to advancing science in America.

Chapters focusing on Scholars, celebrations, science
ARCS Chapters are busy this fall welcoming new Scholars and members and sharing the ARCS mission. Check out how our Chapters are showcasing Scholars and their science research while planning an upcoming productive year. 

You can still participate in upcoming events. Participation details are on the Events page on the ARCS National website or on the Chapter website.  

Illinois: Hosted a Scholar awards luncheon on October 6.
Phoenix: The board, members, and guests mingled at lunch. Upcoming field trips are being planned.  (October 6)

Pittsburgh: The Chapter hosted a social for new Scholars and members on October 6, with a featured speaker from the Vision Institute. The Chapter’s CORE event is planned for Nov. 10 at the Center for Organ Recovery and Education. 

Honolulu: Retired pharmaceutical executive Dr. Beth Ann Coller provided an overview of key innovations in the development of an Ebola virus vaccine, how that knowledge was applied to the current outbreak, and how Ebola research conducted at JABSOM contributed to outbreak response. The program was offered both in person and virtually on Oct. 8, 2026.

Minnesota: The Chapter will celebrate their Scholars on October 20, in person or virtually.

San Diego: A board meeting and general membership meeting brought members together.  And thanks to Mike and Laurie Roeder’s connection to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, 20 ARCS San Diego members and their spouses had an extraordinary opportunity to tour the San Diego Wind Tunnel on September 18. Minds were truly “blown!”

Oregon: The Chapter hosted picnics for Scholars and members to mingle. The major evening event “Impact, Ignite” will be Oct. 27, with speaker Mary Brunkow, a Nobel Laureate. 

Seattle: Oct. 27 will be “A Night to Ignite Science” with Scholars, members, and guests at the Amazon Meeting Center.  The speaker will be Mary-Claire King of the University of Washington School of Medicine and 2014 winner of the Lasker Award.

Metro DC: They are at work planning the 2026 Scholar Awards reception for Nov. 5th, at the National Academy of Sciences building. The speaker will be Dr. Gurpartap Sandhoo, director of the Space Development Agency. 

Colorado: The fall Scholar Luncheon is scheduled for Nov. 9

Atlanta: The Chapter’s Scholar Award Celebration luncheon will be Nov. 11