Honor Societies
National honor societies that are represented at The 草榴社区 are listed below in order of the foundation of the local chapters. For further information about academic honor societies, please click on the society's name and either visit the website or contact the appropriate moderator directly.
Alpha Sigma Nu*
The National Jesuit Honor Society was founded in 1915 with chapters in 30 Jesuit universities throughout the United States. The 草榴社区 chapter was founded in 1943, the oldest Honor Society in the University. It is the only Honor Society open to students and faculty in all disciplines and all colleges of the University. Its admission standards are the most rigorous. The Greek letters signify adelphotes skolastikon nikephoron – brotherhood of honor students. Juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership. Appointment is made by the president of the University on the recommendation of the moderator and nomination by chapter members of the Society. The Society annually presents the Alpha Sigma Nu University award for teaching. Moderator: Dr. Michael Sulzinski-michael.sulzinski@scranton.edu.
Phi Alpha Theta*
International honor society in history founded in 1921. Basic requirements: 12 credits in history; grade point average of 3.33 in history and overall ranking in top 35% of class. The Mu Rho chapter was established at the University in 1967. Moderator: Dr. Susan Poulson-susan.poulson@scranton.edu.
Sigma Xi
International honor society in scientific research founded in 1886. The University’s chapter was chartered in 1968 and has been authorized since 1979 to induct as associate members undergraduate or graduate students showing outstanding promise in original research.
Sigma Pi Sigma*
National honor society in physics for undergraduate and graduate students, founded in 1921. Its chapters are restricted to colleges and universities of recognized standing which offer a strong physics major. The University’s chapter was founded in February 1969. Moderator: Dr. Declan Mulhall-declan.mulhall@scranton.edu.
Eta Sigma Gamma
Since 1967, Eta Sigma Gamma’s mission is the “promotion of the discipline by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professional prepared men and women in Health Education.” Membership is open to all Community Health Education / Health Promotion majors who qualify with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of at least a 3.2 in the major. The Epsilon Eta chapter was installed at the University in 2012.
Omicron Delta Epsilon*
International honor society in economics. Basic requirements: 12 credit hours in economics with an overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.0 average in economics. The University’s Xi chapter of Pennsylvania was founded in May 1969. Moderator: Dr. Aram Balagyozyan, aram.balagyozyan@scranton.edu. Omicron Delta Epsilon Website
Psi Chi*
International honor society in psychology founded in 1929. This organization has chapters in 1,054 colleges and universities in all 50 states. The University’s chapter was installed in May 1969. Minimum qualifications include a major or minor in psychology, rank in the top 35th percentile in general scholarship, and superior scholarship in psychology. Moderator: Dr. John Norcross-john.norcross@scranton.edu. Psi Chi Website
Phi Delta Kappa
International professional fraternity for men and women in education. Membership is limited to graduate students and teachers. The University’s chapter was founded in 1970. Moderator: Dr. Gloria Wenze - gloria.wenze@scranton.edu
Pi Gamma Mu*
International honor society in social science. Founded in 1924 to improve scholarship in the social sciences and to encourage interdisciplinary study. Basic requirements: at least 60 hours of academic work, an overall grade point average of at least 3.4, with at least 21 hours in the disciplines of economics, human services, psychology, sociology, political science or history. The University’s chapter was founded in 1971. Moderator: Dr. Christine Karpiak-karpiakc2@scranton.edu. Moderator: Dr. Christine Karpiak-christie.karpiak@scranton.edu.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
National honor society to encourage scholarship and leadership among adult students in continuing higher education. The Alpha Upsilon chapter was installed at the University in 1972. Moderator: Dr. W. Jeffrey Welsh - william.welsh@scranton.edu.
Pi Mu Epsilon
National honor society for mathematics majors in junior or senior year with an overall grade point average of 3.33 and a 3.50 average in mathematics. Biomathematics majors who meet the criteria can be nominated with an unsolicited recommendation from full-time mathematics faculty. The University’s chapter was installed in February 1973. Moderator: Dr. Anthony Ferzola-anthony.ferzola@scranton.edu.
Alpha Mu Gamma
National honor society for students of foreign languages, founded in 1931. The Greek letters signify amphi mouse glosson: for the muse of languages. The University’s chapter of Theta Iota was installed in May 1973. Moderator: Dr. Marzia Caporale-marzia.caporale@scranton.edu.
Phi Lambda Upsilon
National Honorary Chemical Society established in 1899. The University’s Beta Kappa chapter, one of 60 chapters nationwide, was installed in October 1975. For students with 24 credits in chemistry and a 3.0 grade point average. Moderator: Dr. Michael Fennie - michael.fennie@scranton.edu.
Alpha Epsilon Delta*
The national Health Preprofessional Honor Society founded in 1926. The University’s Iota Chapter was installed in May 1976. Membership is open to students who have completed at least three semesters of pre-professional health work, have a minimum GPA of 3.2, and have a minimum science GPA of 3.2. Moderator: Fr. Timothy Cadigan, SJ - timothy.cadigan@scranton.edu.
Theta Alpha Kappa*
National honor society in theology and religious studies founded in 1976 at Manhattan College. The University’s Alpha Nu chapter was installed in April 1980. Membership requires 12 credits in theology with an average of 3.5 and an overall grade point average of 3.0. Moderator: Dr. Maria Johnson - maria.johnson@scranton.edu.
Sigma Tau Delta*
National honor society in English founded in 1924. This organization is for students who major or minor in English, theatre or secondary education/English with a grade point average of 3.5 or better in English, theatre and writing courses and an overall grade point average of 3.4 or better. The University’s Mu Omicron chapter first met in April 1980. Moderator: Dr. Billie Tadros-billie.tadros@scranton.edu.
Alpha Epsilon Alpha
An honor society founded in 1980 at The 草榴社区 by Fr. Joseph Hamernick, S.J., to recognize students who excel in their general studies and especially in the field of communication. For senior-level communication majors in the top 10 percent of their class. Moderator: Dr. Rebecca Mikesell - rebecca.mikesell@scranton.edu.
Alpha Kappa Delta*
International honor society for sociology students founded in 1920. Requirements include 18 credits in sociology with a grade point average of 3.0 overall. The University’s Upsilon chapter was founded in May 1980. Moderator: Dr. Loreen Wolfer-Loreen.Wolfer@scranton.edu.
Pi Sigma Alpha*
National honor society in political science founded in 1920. The Kappa Iota chapter at the University was installed in May 1980. Membership is limited to juniors and seniors with at least 18 credits (six courses) in political science, a grade point average of at least 3.4 in these courses, and overall rank in the top third of the class. Moderator: Dr. Gretchen Van Dyke-gretchen.vandyke@scranton.edu.
Alpha Phi Sigma*
The National honor society for criminal justice, founded in 1942. The University’s Epsilon Zeta chapter was installed in May 1982. Candidates must be a junior or senior having a criminal justice major or minor; complete at least four (4) criminal justice courses; maintain a 3.2 grade point average overall, as well as in criminal justice; and have class standing in the top 35%. Moderator: Dr. James Roberts- james.roberts@scranton.edu
Phi Sigma Tau*
International honor society for students of philosophy. The University’s Tau chapter was installed in May 1982. Membership requires a major or minor in philosophy as well as excellence in philosophy works. Induction is based on nomination and voting results of philosophy faculty and current members of the society. Moderator: Dr. Matthew Meyer. matthew.meyer@scranton.edu
Omega Beta Sigma
The Women’s Business Honor Society founded at The 草榴社区 in 1982. This organization is for students who major or minor in business, have at least sophomore standing, and have a grade point average of 3.25. Moderator: Dr. Leila Soleimani - leila.soleimani@scranton.edu.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
The first and only existing international honor society in the computing and information disciplines, founded in 1967, and endorsed by both of the corresponding professional organizations, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS). The mission of UPE is to recognize academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Computing and Information Disciplines.
Although computing is a relatively young discipline, the computing sciences have had an unparalleled effect on almost every aspect of contemporary life. Indeed it is difficult to predict the ultimate place of the computer in our world. It is the expressed purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon to promote the computing sciences and to encourage its contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.
The University’s Gamma Chapter was founded in 1985 and now numbers nearly 300 members. Information, including eligibility requirements, may be found at he chapter's . Moderator: Professor Paul Jackowitz-paul.jackowitz@scranton.edu.
Sigma Theta Tau*
International honor society of nursing founded in 1922, a prestigious organization of nurse leaders, scholars and researchers. Requirements: completion of one half of the curriculum, demonstrated ability in nursing, a grade point average of 3.0 and rank in the upper one-third of the class. The University’s Iota Omega chapter was chartered in April 1988. Moderator: Dr. Marian Farrell-marian.farrell@scranton.
Kappa Delta Pi
International honor society for education established in 1911. The Sigma Chi chapter was installed at The 草榴社区 in 1992. It joins more than 500 chapters around the world in fidelity to four cherished ideals: Humanity, Science, Service and Toil. Moderator: Dr. Jennifer C. Kaschak jennifer.kaschak@scranton.edu
Beta Beta Beta
National honor society for biology founded in 1922. The University’s chapter, established in 1994, is one of more than 520 chapters in the United States and Puerto Rico. The society encourages undergraduate biological research through presentations at conventions, publication in the journal BIOS, and research/travel grants. All undergraduate students interested in biology may join as associate members. A regular member must be a junior or senior with 3.0 grade point average in biology and having completed at least three biology courses (one upper level) and in good academic standing at the University. Moderator: Dr. Robert Smith-robert.srmith@scranton.edu.
Beta Gamma Sigma*
Beta Gamma Sigma is the only business honor society recognized by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. To be eligible for membership, the academic ranking of those being considered must place them in the upper 7% of the junior class, upper 10% of the senior class or upper 20% of the graduating master’s class. The University’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma was chartered in spring 1997. Moderator: Dr. Iordanis Petsas - iordanis.petsas@scranton.edu.
Lambda Pi Eta*
The national honor society for communication majors was founded in 1985 to honor and encourage high levels of scholarship and leadership in the field of communications. The University’s chapter was installed in 1999. Membership in the 草榴社区’s chapter requires senior-level communication majors to have earned a GPA of at least 3.25, overall and in their major. Moderator: Dr. Rebecca Mikesell-rebecca.mikesell@scranton.edu.
Alpha Delta Sigma
Alpha Delta Sigma, a national honor society sponsored by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement in advertising studies. It is the only national advertising honor society in American higher education. Membership is open to all AAF members in the Advertising/Public Relations major who qualify with a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25. The University's chapter was established in 2000. Moderator: Dr. Stacy Smulowitz - stacy.smulowitz@scranton.edu
Alpha Lambda Delta
The National honor society of freshmen, founded in 1924 to honor excellent academic achievement by students in the first year of study. The Richard H. Passon Chapter was installed at the University in March 2001. Membership requires enrollment as a full-time student in a degree program, a grade point average of 3.5 or above at the end of the first semester of the freshman year, and a rank in the top 20% of the class.
Moderator: Ms. Mary Ellen Pichiarello-maryellen.pichiarello@scranton.edu.
Upsilon Phi Delta
The Upsilon Phi Delta honor society was founded in 1999 and established at The 草榴社区 in 2002. This national organization recognizes graduate and undergraduate students in the health administration programs. Undergraduate HADM students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25. Graduate MHA Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.75 (3.85 starting in Fall 2022).
Moderator: Dr. Robert Spinelli-robert.spinelli@scranton.edu
Phi Epsilon Kappa
National honor society in physical education founded in 1913. The University’s chapter, Zeta Gamma, was chartered in May 2004 and recognizes Kinesiology majors in their senior year who have achieved an overall minimum grade point average and major grade point average of 3.65. Phi Epsilon Kappa Website
Moderator: Dr. Joan Grossman - joan.grossman@scranton.edu
Nu Rho Psi
The national honor society for neuroscience was founded in 2007. The Alpha chapter was established at the University in 2006. For membership, students must have a demonstrated interest in neuroscience, an overall minimum grade point average of 3.2, and a 3.5 average in neuroscience-related courses. Moderator: Dr. Timothy Cannon-jtimothy.cannon@scranton.edu.
* Member of the Association of College Honor Societies