PI GAMMA MU
International Honor Society in Social Science
The South Carolina Theta Chapter at USCA
History and Purpose
The society was founded in 1924 by the deans of the College
of William and Mary and of Southwestern College in Kansas. It is the oldest,
the largest, and the most significant of the honor societies broadly concerned
with the social sciences. It now has 180,000 members in 170 active chapters
located at large universities, medium-sized institutions and liberal arts
colleges throughout the United States and abroad.
The purpose of Pi Gamma Mu is to foster excellence in
the social sciences and to promote cooperation among them. The motto of
the society is "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."
In addition to the work of its chapters, the honor society
supports scholarships for graduate work, guest lectureships for chapters,
the publication of International Social Science Review, and Pi
Gamma Mu Newsletter. It is a member of the Association of College Honor
Societies.
Who can join Pi Gamma Mu?
An individual may be invited or may petition to join
an active chapter of Pi Gamma Mu when he/she is a junior, senior or graduate
student in the upper 35 percent of the class, has at least 20 semester
hours in social science, and has a grade average of "B" or better. Pi Gamma
Mu's constitution defines the social sciences to include the disciplines
of history, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, international
relations, criminal justice, social work, social psychology, social philosophy,
history of education, and cultural geography.
Faculty and administrators may also accept the privileges
and responsibilities of membership in a college chapter.
SOUTH CAROLINA THETA CHAPTER at USC-Aiken
South Carolina Theta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu received its
charter on February 4, 1994 when 25 members were initiated. Since that
time, the chapter has continuously initiated new members each year, normally
in the fall semester. The initiation banquet with guest speaker is the
highlight of fall events for the chapter and a special field trip normally
earmarks spring semester. Current officers of the chapter are: President,
Audra Smith, senior social studies education major; Vice-President, Layton
Carr, senior history major; Faculty Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Douglas Kuck,
sociology; Faculty Sponsor, Dr. Calvin Smith, history.
|Back to Clubs Index|
The University of South Carolina-Aiken
e-mail carolb@aiken.sc.edu