Honor Societies

Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the oldest national academic honor society in the United States. The Gamma of Ohio chapter at Marietta College was established in 1860; it was the third chapter in Ohio and the 16th in the nation.

To be considered for election to membership, a student must be of good character and must have achieved a scholastic record of outstanding excellence in a broad program of studies, a significant part of which must lie within the area known as the liberal arts and sciences. Normally, students are elected during the spring semester of their senior year. In addition, the highest ranking eligible member of the junior class may be elected during the spring semester.

Membership in Phi Beta Kappa is conferred as the result of an election by the local chapter. There is no list of precisely specified requirements that, if met, will result in automatic election to Phi Beta Kappa. The chapter does have certain minimum criteria for consideration for election that are given below.

To aid in evaluating breadth of education, the Marietta chapter of Phi Beta Kappa groups academic areas, departments, and courses in the liberal arts and sciences into three broad categories. These categories, or groups, are similar to, but not identical with those used in the College Catalog to specify the General Education distribution requirements for graduation from Marietta College. The chapter, in most cases, uses the disciplinary prefix to determine in which group courses belong.

Group A:	art, English literature, modern languages, music, theatre.
Group B:	communication, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, religion.
Group C:	astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics.

The criteria for consideration for election to Phi Beta Kappa are as follows:

The student must take at least 60 hours of work in residence at Marietta College.
The student must achieve a grade point average sufficient for graduation with honors (3.5 or better) and must graduate in the upper tenth of the class.
Because election to Phi Beta Kappa emphasizes breadth and depth of scholarship, the student’s record must display evidence of both.
At least 63 hours of the student’s coursework should be in liberal arts and science disciplines.
Students must take at least one math or logic course.
The chapter encourages students to take at least one foreign language and to engage in in-depth programs of study such as study abroad, investigative studies, and honors research.

The student must display breadth of education by completing, in addition to Writing 102 and Communication 203, at least fifteen credit hours of course work in each of groups A and B and fourteen credit hours in group C. Courses from at least three departments or areas in each group must be included, and not more than six credit hours (or eight in the case of laboratory courses) from a single department may be counted. Advanced courses in areas outside the student’s major group are encouraged. No course for which the grade is below C may be counted. Mathematics 113, 114, 123; and Computer Science 110 are also not counted.

Courses that are not included among the offerings of the departments listed in groups A, B, and C, such as Leadership, Honors, and Gender Studies courses also may be eligible for consideration by the chapter under the intent of criterion 3. Any such course will be evaluated individually. The chapter will determine whether the course qualifies as liberal arts or sciences and, if so, the appropriate group in which to place it.

The chapter reserves the right to elect students who do not quite meet every aspect of criterion 3, but whose records clearly display evidence of breadth and depth consistent with the intent of the criterion. Students desiring additional information should contact one of the officers of the Marietta College chapter.

Alpha Delta Sigma, a national honor society sponsored by the American Advertising Federation, recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement in advertising studies. Students that are dues-paying members of the AAF college chapter, have achieved senior status on or before the nomination due date and have completed at least two senior- or junior-level advertising courses, and have a minimum GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) in all advertising studies and all other courses are eligible for membership.

Alpha Epsilon Rho is the national honor society for electronic media students. Members of AERho emphasize superior scholarship and creative participation in broadcast, corporate, and digital media production and activity. Membership in AERho exemplifies excellence of work, demonstrated leadership qualities, and service to the organization, the community, and the industry.

Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honorary for first-year students, installed its chapter at Marietta College on March 28, 1989. First year students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or better and are in the top twenty percent of their class after two semesters are eligible for membership. Alpha Lambda Delta encourages superior scholastic achievement among college students, continued academic excellence beyond the first year, and collegiality among honors students.

Alpha Psi Omega, national honorary dramatic fraternity, installed its Eta Alpha chapter at Marietta in 1937. Students who have shown special aptitude, participation, and interest in all forms of dramatic work are eligible for membership.

Beta Beta Beta, national biological society, was founded in 1922. The Iota chapter, the sixth oldest of more than 250 active chapters, was installed at Marietta in 1926. Students selected for membership must meet the scholastic standards and have completed the amount of work in biology established by the society. Tri-Beta promotes sound scholarship, dissemination of scientific truth, and research.

Gamma Sigma Alpha was chartered at Marietta College on May 2, 1994. The Beta Gamma chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha is the National Greek Academic Honors Society on campus. The purpose is to recognize and advance academic excellence as a core value of fraternity and sororities, and also to showcase the diverse academic and intellectual accomplishments of members of the Greek community. Members must have a 3.5 GPA and have junior or senior standing at the time of initiation.

Gamma Sigma Epsilon (GSE) is a national chemistry honorary society founded in 1919 at Davidson College. There are over seventy-five chapters throughout the United States. The Marietta College local chapter was established in Spring 2017 with the induction of eleven members who met high standards of academic achievement. Marietta’s local chapter of GSE is applying for national membership during the 2018-2019 academic year.

Kappa Alpha Omicron (KAO) is an honor society in Interdisciplinary Environmental Science and Studies. KAO promotes and encourages new students to enter environmental fields while providing a foundation to support the expansion of environmental research and contacts, both here and abroad. The Delta Chapter of KAO is affiliated with Marietta College. To be eligible for induction, students must have sophomore standing or higher, a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, a minimum GPA of 3.2 in the applicant’s major, completion of at least three courses within environmental science or environmental studies (two of which must be 200-level or higher) with a minimum GPA of 3.2.

Kappa Delta Pi, an international honorary in Education, installed its Psi Zeta chapter at Marietta in 1997. It was founded March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. It recognizes scholarship and excellence in education, promotes the development and dissemination of worthy educational ideas and practices, enhances the continuous growth and leadership of its diverse members, fosters inquiry and reflection on significant educational issues, and maintains a high degree of professional fellowship. Kappa Delta Pi elects those to membership who exhibit the ideals of scholarship, high personal standards, and promise in teaching and allied professions. Invitation requires a student of at least sophomore standing to have a 3.0 GPA and to have been admitted into the Education Program through the Education Department.

Kappa Mu Epsilon, national honorary mathematics society, installed its Ohio Epsilon chapter at Marietta in 1960. Credit for two mathematics courses numbered 200 or higher and registration in another mathematics course numbered 200 or higher, with a 3.0 in all mathematics courses completed, and be in the upper 35% of one’s graduating class are required for membership. The chapter generates interest in mathematics by co-sponsoring visiting speakers and offers free tutoring to mathematics students who need help at introductory levels.

The Marietta College chapter of Kappa Pi, the international Art honorary, was established in 2004. Requirements for membership are twelve credit hours in art history, graphic design, and/or studio art; a 3.0 GPA in all art classes; and an overall 2.75 GPA.

Lambda Pi Eta is the official communication studies honorary of the National Communication Association. To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed at least 60 semester hours, of which 12 must be in communication studies, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, have a communication studies GPA of 3.25, and be in the upper 35% of one’s graduating class.

Mu Psi Kappa, Music Honorary, founded in 2016, honors both music majors and none majors. Selection for membership is based on overall scholarship, music ensemble participation, applied lesson study, and leadership. Once selected the student must continue to maintain all categories to continue as members of this honor society. Students must be at the end of their sophomore year to be evaluated for membership.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is an economics honorary. Criteria for membership are 12 hours of economics coursework with a 3.0 overall GPA.

Omicron Delta Kappa is the National Leadership Honorary that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and character. It recognizes achievement in scholarship, athletics, campus and community service, social and religious activities, campus government, journalism, speech, mass media, and the creative and performing arts. Members must be in the upper 35 percent in scholarship of the College and must show leadership in the above areas. Members are usually selected twice a year after the completion of an extensive questionnaire that is used for the consideration of new members.

Order of Omega was chartered on October 7, 1991. The Mu Beta chapter of Order of Omega is the National Greek Leadership Honors Society at Marietta College. Its purpose is to recognize fraternity men and sorority women who have attained a high standard of leadership, scholarship, and involvement in interfraternity activities. Members of the Greek community who meet the criteria are invited to apply for membership, which is conferred to a small group of individuals each semester.

Phi Alpha Theta, national history honor society, installed its Gamma Mu chapter at Marietta College in 1950. The fraternity promotes the study of history and provides recognition for students who have distinguished themselves in this field. Membership requires a 3.0 overall GPA with 12 hours in history with at least a 3.1 GPA.

Phi Sigma Iota is an honor society whose members are elected from among outstanding advanced undergraduate and graduate students of foreign languages and literature, including Classics, Comparative Literature, Philology, Bilingual Education, and Applied Linguistics, as well as faculties of the institutions honored with a chapter. Phi Sigma Iota honors undergraduate students with at least a B average in their entire college work, as well as in all courses in languages and graduate students with at least a B+ average.

Pi Epsilon Tau, a national honor society for students in petroleum engineering, installed its Zeta chapter at Marietta in 1951. The society’s purpose is to foster a closer bond among its members and the petroleum industry, and to maintain the high ideals and standards of the profession.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society in political science. Marietta’s Psi Nu chapter was established in 2000. The organization promotes the study of politics and provides recognition for junior and senior students who have distinguished themselves in this field. Membership requires a 3.0 overall GPA with 12 hours in political science with at least a 3.1 GPA.

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. To be selected for membership, a student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be ranked in the top 35 percent of his or her class and have completed 12 semester hours in psychology. This organization promotes the study of psychology and recognizes students who have distinguished themselves in the field.

Sigma Delta Pi is the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society whose members are elected from among outstanding advanced students of Spanish. Members must have a 3.2 overall GPA, a 3.0 GPA in all coursework done in Spanish, and must have completed or be enrolled in a 300-level course in Hispanic literature or Hispanic civilization and culture.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon was established in 1915 to recognize scholarship and professionalism in the Earth Sciences. The Iota Alpha chapter recognizes Marietta College students who have completed at least 10 semester hours in courses in the Earth sciences with a minimum 2.670 cumulative GPA and 3.000 GPA in the Earth Science courses.

Sigma Pi Sigma honors outstanding scholarship in physics, encourages interest in physics, promotes an attitude of service, and provides a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Members must be a physics major or minor with at least a 3.25 overall GPA and a 3.00 GPA in 16 credit hours of physics courses.

Sigma Tau Delta confers distinction for high achievement in English language and literature, to promote local interest in literature and the English language on campus, and to foster the discipline of English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing.

The Society for Collegiate Journalists is a national honorary society for collegiate mass communications. It is a non-profit organization operating on campuses of fully recognized and accredited colleges, universities, and institutions awarding degrees upon completion of a four-year program. Initiation requires a student to have been active in journalism or broadcasting for one full year at the institution, do it well, and have good grades.

Tau Pi Phi honors outstanding students in majors in the Business & Economics department. Requirements are 15 hours in courses taught in the department with a 3.2 GPA, plus a 3.2 overall GPA. Members have the opportunity to participate in the annual Tau Pi Phi case competition.