Washington College

Alpha Kappa Delta is the international sociology honor society dedicated to the investigation of humanity for the purpose of service and the acknowledgement and promotion of excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology. Students are eligible for membership if they are undergraduate majors or minors in sociology, are juniors or seniors who have taken at least four courses in sociology at Washington College, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 as well as a GPA of 3.0 in their sociology coursework, and are in the upper 35% of their class.

Beta Beta Beta, Rho Iota Chapter, is a national honor society for students dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.

Washington College's Cater Society of Junior Fellows is an organization sponsored by the college and various benefactors to enhance the education experience that WC students receive. Membership is open to all upperclassmen that have attained academic and extra-curricular excellence. Meetings of SJF are held weekly, and are open to all of the student body as wells as all faculty and staff. Members of SJF are entitled, and encouraged, to write grant proposals for funding of various projects. Such projects have included: a trip to Cuba to study the medical practices in the country, replacement earnings for an internship at an art gallery, funding for a trip to Spain to study a traditional dance, and hundreds of other projects. During the year, several social events are held for all SJF members, such as faculty mixers and an end-of-the-year dinner. Events such as these are open only to SJF members, and are among the many benefits of membership.

Lambda Alpha is the national collegiate honor society for anthropology. It was founded for the purpose of encouraging and stimulating scholarship and research in anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty, and other persons engaged in the study of anthropology.

Washington College has a chapter of Nu Delta Alpha—the national dance honor society—which is open to students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and show outstanding ability in dance technique, performance, scholarship, choreography, literature, and/or production.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is the International Honor Society in Economics. Our chapter is the MU chapter of Maryland.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society for college men and women, was founded at Washington and Lee University in 1914 to recognize and encourage superior leadership by persons of exemplary character in the areas of academics, athletics, service, journalism, and creative arts. Washington College's Alpha Psi Circle of ODK, established in 1937, recognizes the college's most outstanding student leaders.

Each year, members of ODK select two winners of the Gold Pentagon Award, recognizing outstanding leadership and service to Washington College by a graduating senior, and by an alumnus, faculty member, or friend of the college. (List of Gold Pentagon Winners, 1925 to the present)

Washington College's Alpha Psi Circle of ODK also supports leadership education by sponsoring and organizing a series of colloquia, talks, and special events throughout the year.

Students are inducted into ODK twice during the year, in the fall and in the spring. To apply for membership, please visit the national ODK website and fill out the online application. Your application will be automatically sent to the College's circle for consideration. If you have questions about the application process or timeline, please contact the ODK Faculty Secretary, Prof. Michael Harvey, at mharvey2@washcoll.edu.

Online application: http://www.odk.org/audience/prospective_members/membership_application_form

Phi Alpha Theta is the local chapter of the national history honor society. This student-run organization sponsors various presentations, informal discussions and a lecture series. Members are given the opportunity to present thesis proposals annually at the regional meeting at American University in Washington, DC. Students may also submit writings for publication in the Historian, the organization's academic journal.

Phi Beta Kappa is the most highly regarded mark of academic distinction in America. Society membership is extended to only about 10 percent of the nation's institutions of higher learning and only about ten percent of those institutions' graduates.

Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society, founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. The Society is devoted to recognizing outstanding scholarship in the French language and to increasing the knowledge and appreciation for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world

Phi Sigma Tau, the National Honor Society in Philosophy, is open to any student who has completed three semesters at an accredited college or university. Nonmajors are eligible. The successful applicant will 1) be in the upper 35% of his or her class, 2) and have completed at least three courses in philosophy or religion with an average of 3.4 (in any three such courses). Applications and details are available from Prof. Peter Weigel, Faculty Chapter Advisor, or Jennifer Sutphin, Student Officer. Membership carries no obligation beyond the application process. Phi Sigma Tau is administered in conjunction with the Philosophy Club at Washington College.

Pi Lambda Theta is a national honor society recognizing high standards in the study of education.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the local chapter of the National Political Science Honor Society. Qualified students in the upper third of their class who have demonstrated productive scholarship and personal interest in government, international relations or public administration are selected annually for membership. The organization hosts various lectures and dinners. Informal discussions and debates pertaining to the political arena are also common.

Psi Chi is the local chapter of the national psychology honor society. Membership is awarded to psychology majors in the upper one-third of their class who have demonstrated productive scholarship in psychology. The organization hosts various guest speakers and sponsors occasional field trips to points of interest. In addition, members have the opportunity to explore the graduate school admission process.

A national honor society in business, Sigma Beta Delta recognizes students in the top 20% of their class who aspire toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind.

Sigma Delta Pi is a national Hispanic honorary society that is dedicated to encouraging college and university students to acquire a greater interest in and a deeper understanding of Hispanic cultures. Members of the society work to foster friendly relations and mutual respect between the nations of Hispanic speech and those of English speech.

Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students. The Mu Nu chapter at Washington College recognizes students who excel in the study of English Language and Literature and offers them opportunities to enrich their education and careers. Active members must have completed at least three semesters of English courses with an A- average and rank in the top thirty-five percent of their class. Members may participate in organizational conferences and conventions as well as be eligible for grants and scholarships.

Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society was founded in 1886 as an honor society for science and engineering. Today it is an international research society whose programs and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise and honor scientific achievement. In addition, Sigma Xi also endeavors to encourage support of original work in science and technology and promote an appreciation for the role research has played in human progress. Membership is awarded to students who have accomplished substantive research achievements and, have demonstrated exceptional promise as research scientists.