On Thursday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. an induction ceremony was held for new members of Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Society) and Pi Sigma Alpha (The National Political Science Honor Society) in the Fourth Floor Board Room.
The Xavierite interviewed both Amanda Lopez, Assistant Professor of History and Political Science, and Matthew Costello, Professor of History & Political Science, to obtain more information on both societies.
“Phi Alpha Theta was established in 1921 at the University of Arkansas. Our chapter, Alpha-Omicron-Eta was established this year at our induction ceremony,” explained Lopez.
She continued, “Phi Alpha Theta is a national history honor society for undergraduates, graduates and professional historians.”
Ten students were inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society on Thursday. The students are Tony Bara, Brian Michael Foran, Macy Zamudio, Mark R. Korosa, Daniel Melecio, Amber Lynn Miller, Trumaine Mitchell, Kyle Mossman, Valarie Nowicki and Christopher Sarna. Both Tony Bara and Trumaine Mitchel are charter students and helped with the application process.
Lopez went on to say that “Phi Alpha Theta provides opportunities for students to present their work at national and regional conferences and publish in its national journal, The Historian. There are also scholarships and prizes available.”
Other than members from the Department of History and Political Science and the inductees from both societies being there, the President, Provost, Dean and Lee Brice, who is a member of the Nation Council of Phi Alpha Theta and a Professor of History at Western Illinois University, attended the ceremony.
Lopez discussed her hopes for Phi Alpha Theta “We have so many bright and talented history students at SXU and establishing a chapter of Phi Alpha Theta brings them the recognition they deserve. I hope it will encourage others to strive for success in their history classes as well.”
She continued, “I hope that Phi Alpha Theta will be an avenue for history students to bring more history focused events to campus and to share their interest in history with their peers. We would like to host a regional Phi Alpha Theta conference in a few years as well.”
Macy Zamudio, sophomore, History/ Secondary Education major, was one of the ten students that were inducted.
“It’s definitely an honor to be a part of a national organization that recognizes history students and that also recognizes the importance of history,” said Zamudio.
She then explained “Despite the negative things that some students may say about it, history is fun and it is a totally awesome subject…but, then again, I am a history nerd, so my opinion might be a bit biased! I guess being a part of Phi Alpha Theta makes it nice to know that there are more people who are history nerds like me!”
As mentioned before, Phi Alpha Theta was not alone in inducting members into their society; Pi Sigma Alpha did as well.
Pi Sigma Alpha inducted nine members this year. The members included Victoria Brown, Chance Cutrano, Maritzza Escudero, Guy Gilbertson, Neveen Hammad, Zaheya Hasan, William McGill, Mary Rewerts, and Mona Sadek.
Costello explained, “The society recognizes outstanding performance in the study of political science. Membership is thus a recognition of high levels of academic performance. Members are awarded honor medallions with the Pi Sigma Alpha key to wear with their academic robes as a sign of their achievement.”
He continued, “Additionally, the society offers scholarships for graduate study and Washington semester programs, Best paper awards, and has partnered with several organizations such as the Washington Internship Institute and Washington Center for discounts on tuition to their programs and with the Princeton review for discounts on LSAT preparation courses.”
Unlike Phi Alpha Theta, this is not Pi sigma Alpha’s first year at SXU. The Phi Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha began in 1998.
Nermeen Shaabneh
News Editor