Prestigious Honorary Societies

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was founded in 1780, during the American Revolution, to gather knowledge and to advance learning for the public good.  Since its inception, more than 14,500 members have been elected to the Academy.  The AAAS is both an honorary society that recognizes the excellence of its members and an independent research center that brings together leaders from across disciplines, professions, and perspectives to address significant challenges to society.

Membership is a prized honor, and only current members may submit nominations, vote for candidates, and serve on selection panels.  Members are experts and leaders from the full range of disciplines and professions related to the arts and sciences, as well as from business, government, public affairs, and philanthropy.  Among the Academy's members are more than 250 Nobel laureates and 60 Pulitzer Prize winners.

Purdue faculty and administrators elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

• Mung Chiang, President and Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Elected in 2024
• Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte, Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy - Elected in 2022
• Eugene H. Spafford, Professor of Computer Science and Executive Director Emeritus of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance (CERIAS) - Elected in 2020
• Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., President Emeritus - Elected in 2019
• Kathleen C. Howell, Hsu Lo Distinguished Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics - Elected in 2017
• Enrique Iglesia, Michel Boudart Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering - Elected in 2015
• Rakesh Agrawal, Winthrop E. Stone Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering - Elected in 2013
• Leah H. Jamieson, Ransburg Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering - Elected in 2011
• R. Graham Cooks, Henry B. Hass Distinguished Professor of Chemistry - Elected in 2010
• Freydoon Shahidi, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics - Elected in 2010
• Arden L. Bement, David A. Ross Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering - Elected in 2004

The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine

To meet the government's urgent need for an independent adviser on scientific matters, President Lincoln signed a congressional charter forming the National Academy of Sciences in 1863 to "investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science." As science began to play an ever-increasing role in national priorities and public life, the National Academy of Sciences eventually expanded to include the National Research Council in 1916, the National Academy of Engineering in 1964, and the National Academy of Medicine, which was established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert, objective advice on current challenges in science, engineering, and health-related matters.

The National Academy of Sciences

Members are elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Current NAS membership totals approximately 2,400 members and nearly 500 international associates, of whom approximately 190 have received Nobel prizes. Nominations for membership occur throughout the year, culminating in a final ballot at the NAS's annual meeting in April.

Purdue faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences:

The National Academy of Engineering

Election to National Academy of Engineering (NAE) membership is one of the highest professional honors an engineer can receive. Members have distinguished themselves in business, in technical positions, as university faculty, and as leaders in government and private engineering organizations. Members are nominated and elected to NAE membership by their peers (current NAE members). Those selected are inducted into the NAE at the annual meeting every fall. 

Purdue faculty elected to the National Academy of Engineering:

The National Academy of Medicine

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM), established in 1970 under the name Institute of Medicine, is an independent organization comprised of eminent professionals from health and medicine, as well as related fields in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences. Through its domestic and global initiatives, the NAM works to address critical issues in health, medicine, and related policy. The NAM currently has more than 2,400 members. The annual nomination cycle begins on November 1 and closes on February 1 (only current NAM members can forward nominations for new members); election of new members takes place in late summer with new members announced in conjunction with the NAM annual meeting in October.

Purdue faculty elected to the National Academy of Medicine:

The National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recognizes academic inventors who have created or facilitated outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.  The inaugural class of Fellows was announced in 2012.  Currently the NAI has more than 1,700 Fellows worldwide, representing more than 300 prestigious universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutes. Collectively, the Fellows hold more than 58,000 issued U.S. patents, which have generated more than 13,000 licensed technologies and companies.  Nominations for new Fellows are typically open from May to July each year; then they are reviewed by the NAI Fellows Advisory and Selection Committees, and new fellows are officially announced in December each year.

Purdue faculty elected to the National Academy of Inventors:

The American Association for the Advancement of Science

In 1874, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) began selecting Fellows—individuals who have made significant contributions to research; teaching; technology; services to professional societies; administration in academe, industry, and government; and communicating and interpreting science to the public. Fellows are elected annually by the AAAS Council from a list of approved nominations from the section steering groups.

View the list of Purdue faculty who are active AAAS Fellows.