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Organization that recognizes excellence
"Honor Societies", illustration from the 1909 Tyee (yearbook of the University of Washington)In the United States, an honor society is an organization that recognizes individuals who rank above a set standard in various domains such as academics, leadership, and other personal achievements, not all of which are based on ranking systems. These societies acknowledge excellence among peers in diverse fields and circumstances. The Order of the Arrow, for example, is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. While the term commonly refers to scholastic honor societies, which primarily acknowledge students who excel academically or as leaders among their peers, it also applies to other types of societies.
The origins of honor societies in the United States can be traced back to the establishment of Phi Beta Kappa in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, which began as a debating society and did not initially impose grade point average (GPA) restrictions for membership.[1][2]
Many honor societies invite students to become members based on the scholastic rank (the top x% of a class) and/or grade point averages, either overall or for classes taken within the discipline for which the honor society provides recognition. In cases where academic achievement would not be an appropriate criterion for membership, other standards are usually required for membership (such as completion of a particular ceremony or training program). Scholastic honor societies commonly add a criterion relating to the student's character. Most honor societies are invitation-only, and membership in an honor society might be considered exclusive, i.e., a member of such an organization cannot join other honor societies representing the same field.
Many honor societies are referred to by their membership or by non-members as fraternities and sororities. Honor societies exist at the high school, collegiate/university, postgraduate, and professional levels, although university honor societies are by far the most prevalent. In the United States, the oldest academic society, Phi Beta Kappa, was founded as a social and literary fraternity in 1776. Other honor societies were established a century later, including Tau Beta Pi for engineering (1885), Sigma Xi for scientific research (1886), and Phi Kappa Phi for all disciplines (1897). Mortar Board was established in 1918 and was the first national honor society for women who were college seniors.
During the era of honor society expansion in the early 20th century, these organizations were generally supportive of cultural changes that challenged racism, classism, and sexism. Like other aspects of academia, honor society integration and diversity grew with the expansion of an increasingly multicultural and co-educational student body. There were some holdouts, but academia in general, and its honor societies as a reflection, were on the vanguard of change. Several Jewish-only organizations merged into (or absorbed) formerly Christian-exclusive societies. Title IX forced most single-sex societies to admit women, though many had already opted to embrace this change.[a] Racial barriers, where they existed, were challenged and retired, with any holdouts subject to significant criticism.[3][4][5] The presence of these holdovers and the demise of those that exhibited overt racism offer an opportunity for a critical reassessment of the criteria and culture within honor societies.[6]
While changes sparked from within these societies were prevalent between the massive influx of students after World War II and before and after the adoption of Title IX, additionally, the demand for recognition of racially diverse scholars spurred the 2005 founding of the Bouchet Graduate Honor Society by Yale University and Howard University. Rather than adopting the traditional tapping to identify top students from a given academic class based on merit, a distinct aspect of this society's nomination process is its focus on self-nominations.[b] A Ph.D. or Ph.D. track is required, among other qualifications.[7][8][9][10] Modern honor societies are increasingly focused on creating supportive environments that promote the academic and personal development of all scholars, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.[11][12] This evolution reflects a broader movement within academic institutions towards a more equitable and comprehensive recognition of student excellence.[13][14][15]
Academic robes and regalia identifying by color the degree, school, and other distinctions, are controlled under rules of the voluntary Intercollegiate Code of Academic Costume. In addition, various colored devices such as stoles, scarves, cords, tassels, and medallions are used to indicate membership in a student's honor society. Of these, cords and mortarboard tassels are most often used to indicate membership. Most institutions allow honor cords, tassels, and/or medallions for honor society members. Stoles are less common, but they are available for a few honor societies. Virtually all, if not all honor societies have chosen such colors and may sell these items of accessory regalia as a service or fundraiser.
Umbrella organizations[edit]The Honor Society Caucus and Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) are two voluntary associations for national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies.[16] ACHS formed in 1925 to establish and maintain desirable standards for honor societies.[16] Later, four founding members of ACHS established the Honor Society Caucus, expressing that the ACHS had diluted and lost sight of the mission of its founding members.[17][18] While ACHS membership is a certification that the member societies meet these standards, not all legitimate honor societies apply for membership in ACHS.[19][16]
Collegiate honor societies[edit]Notable national and international honor societies based in or at schools include the following.
General and leadership societies[edit]General collegiate societies are open to all academic disciplines, although they may have other affinity requirements. Leadership societies recognize leadership, with a multi-disciplinary scholarship component.
Society Symbols Emphasis Colors References Alpha Alpha Alpha ΑΑΑ General, first-generation college students Blue and Grey/Silver Alpha Chi ΑΧ General Emerald Green and Sapphire blue Alpha Kappa Mu ΑΚΜ General Royal blue and White Alpha Lambda Delta ΑΛΔ General, Freshman Maroon and Gold Alpha Sigma Lambda ΑΣΛ General, Non-traditional students Burgundy and Gold Alpha Sigma Nu ΑΣΝ General, scholarship and service atJesuit institutions of higher education
Maroon Gold Bouchet Graduate Honor Society General, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Chi Alpha Sigma ΧΑΣ General, student athletes Gold and Black Delta Alpha Pi ΔΑΠ General, students with disabilities Royal blue and Gold Delta Epsilon Sigma ΔΕΣ General at traditionally Catholic colleges Black and Gold Delta Epsilon Tau ΔΕΤ General, Distance Education Accrediting Commission institutions [20][21][22] Epsilon Tau Pi ΕΤΠ General, Eagle Scouts White, Red, Blue, and Black Golden Key International Honour Society General Navy Blue, Gold, and White Ku Klux Klan (defunct) Interfraternity leadership, Juniors Black Lambda Sigma ΛΣ Scholarship, leadership, and service Blue and Gold Mortar Board General, Seniors Gold and Silver National Residence Hall Honorary Residence hall leadership and service Blue and White National Society of Collegiate Scholars Leadership, scholarship, and service Purple and Gold Omicron Delta Kappa ΟΔΚ Leadership and scholarship, upperclassmen and graduate students Sky blue, White, and Black Order of Omega General, fraternities and sororities Ivory and Gold Phi Beta Kappa ΦΒΚ Arts and sciences, undergraduate Pink and Sky blue Phi Eta Sigma ΦΗΣ General, freshman Gold and Black Phi Kappa Phi ΦΚΦ General Blue and Gold Phi Sigma Pi ΦΣΠ General Purple and Gold Phi Tau Phi ΦΤΦ General SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society General, veterans and active military [23][24][25][26] Scabbard and Blade General, ROTC. JROTC. and midshipmen Red, White, and Blue Sigma Alpha Lambda ΣΑΛ Leadership and scholarship Navy, Black, and Tau Sigma ΤΣ General, transfer students Burgundy and Gold Tu–Mas (defunct) Interfraternity leadership, Juniors BlackThese societies are open to Humanities disciplines and may be department-specific.
These societies are open to social science disciplines and may be department-specific.
Society Symbols Academic emphasis Colors References Alpha Iota Delta ΑΙΔ Decision sciences Green and Gold Alpha Kappa Delta ΑΚΔ Sociology Teal Alpha Mu Alpha ΑΜΑ Marketing Red [32] Alpha Phi Sigma ΑΦΣ Criminal justice and law Blue and Gold Beta Alpha Psi ΒΑΨ Accounting and finance Crimson and Black Beta Gamma Sigma ΒΓΣ Business programs accredited by AACSB Royal blue and Gold Chi Sigma Iota ΧΣΙ Counseling White and Blue Delta Mu Delta ΔΜΔ Business programs accredited by ACBSP Purple, Gold, and White Eta Sigma Delta ΗΣΔ Hospitality management Blue and White [33] Eta Sigma Gamma ΗΣΓ Health education Dark green and Gold Gamma Theta Upsilon ΓΘΥ Geography Brown, Light blue, and Gold Kappa Delta Pi ΚΔΠ Education Purple and Gold Kappa Omicron Nu ΚΟΝ Human sciences Maroon and Gold Lambda Alpha ΛΑ Anthropology Red, White, and Black Lambda Epsilon Chi ΛΕΧ Paralegal Royal Purple Mu Kappa Tau ΜΚΤ Marketing Navy blue Nu Lambda Mu ΝΛΜ Nonprofit management [34][35] Omega Rho ΩΡ Operations research and management science Blue and Red Omicron Delta Epsilon ΟΔΕ Economics The Order of Barristers Law school Order of the Coif Law school graduates Maroon and Black Order of the Sword & Shield ΟΣΣ Homeland security, emergency management,and protective studies
Blue and Gold Phi Alpha ΦΑ Social work Royal blue and Light gold Phi Alpha Theta ΦΑΘ History Madonna Red and Madonna Blue Phi Beta Delta ΦΒΔ International education Gold and Red Phi Delta Phi ΦΔΦ Law Garnet and Pearl Blue Phi Upsilon Omicron ΦΥΟ Family and consumer science White, Yellow, and Violet Pi Alpha Alpha ΠΑΑ Public administration Light Blue and Gold Pi Gamma Mu ΠΓΜ Social sciences Royal blue and White Pi Lambda Theta ΠΛΘ Education Gold Pi Omega Pi ΠΩΠ Business education Blue, Silver and Gold Pi Sigma Alpha ΠΣΑ Political science Red and Black Psi Chi ΨΧ Psychology Platinum and Dark Blue Sigma Beta Delta ΣΒΔ Business, management, and business administration Hunter green and Gold Sigma Iota Rho ΣΙΡ International relations Black, Blue, and Red Sigma Nu Tau ΣΝΤ Entrepreneurship [36][37] Tau Upsilon Alpha ΤΥΑ Human services [38][39][40] Upsilon Phi Delta ΥΦΔ Health administration Crimson red and BlueThese societies are open to students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and may be department-specific. This section also includes all healthcare-related fields, including veterinary science.
Society Symbols Academic emphasis Colors References Alpha Epsilon ΑΕ Agricultural food, and biological engineering Black and Gold Alpha Epsilon Delta ΑΕΔ Pre-medical Red and Violet Alpha Eta ΑΗ Allied health professions [41] Alpha Eta Mu Beta ΑΗΜΒ Biomedical engineering Red and Gold Alpha Mu ΑΜ Agricultural systems management [42][43] Alpha Nu Sigma ΑΝΣ Nuclear engineering Alpha Omega Alpha ΑΩΑ Medical students and physicians Green, Gold, and White Alpha Pi Mu ΑΠΜ Industrial engineering Purple and Light Yellow Alpha Sigma Mu ΑΣΜ Metallurgy and materials engineering Silver and Gold Beta Beta Beta ΒΒΒ Biology Blood red and Leaf green Beta Kappa Chi ΒΚΧ Natural Science and Mathematics Golden Yellow and Royal Blue Beta Phi Mu ΒΦΜ Library and information science Purple and White Beta Sigma Kappa ΒΣΚ Optometry [44][45][46][47] Chi Beta Phi ΧΒΦ Science and Mathematics Colonial blue and Crimson Chi Epsilon ΧΕ Civil engineering Purple and White Chi Epsilon Pi ΧΕΠ Meteorology Royal blue and Silver Delta Tau Alpha ΔΤΑ Agriculture Green and Harvest gold [48] Delta Omega ΔΩ Public health Black and Gold;Stole color is Peach
Epsilon Pi Tau ΕΠΤ Technology Blue, White, and Gold Eta Kappa Nu ΗΚΝ Electrical engineering and computer engineering Navy blue and Scarlet Gamma Alpha Rho (inactive) ΓΑΡ Aeronautical engineering Gamma Nu Eta ΓΝΗ Information technology [49][50] Gamma Sigma Delta ΓΣΔ Agriculture Sand and Forest Green [51] Gamma Sigma Epsilon ΓΣΕ Chemistry Royal blue and White Iota Tau Alpha ΙΤΑ Athletic training [52][53] Iota Sigma Pi ΙΣΠ Chemistry and related fields, women White, Gold, and Cedar green Lambda Beta ΛΒ Respiratory Care Blue and Green Nu Rho Psi ΝΡΨ Neuroscience Gold and Black Omega Chi Epsilon ΩΧΕ Chemical engineering Black, White, and Maroon Omicron Kappa Upsilon ΟΚΥ Dentistry Navy blue, Gold, and Lilac Phi Alpha Epsilon ΦΑΕ Architectural engineering Purple and White Phi Lambda Upsilon ΦΛΥ Chemistry Pink Litmus and Blue Litmus Phi Sigma ΦΣ Biological sciences Medium Green, White,and Old gold
Phi Tau Sigma ΦΤΣ Food Science and Technology Gold and Maroon Phi Zeta ΦΖ Veterinary medicine Blue and Yellow Pi Alpha Xi ΠΑΞ Horticulture Nile green and Cerulean blue Pi Delta ΠΔ Podiatry [54] Pi Epsilon ΠΕ Environmental science Blue and Green Pi Epsilon Tau ΠΕΤ Petroleum engineering and related fields Gold and Black [55][56][57] Pi Tau Sigma ΠΤΣ Mechanical engineering Murrey and Azure Rho Beta Epsilon ΡΒΕ Robotics Crimson, Gold, and Black [58] Rho Chi ΡΧ Pharmacy Purple and White Sigma Gamma Epsilon ΣΓΕ Geology and earth science Gold, Blue, and Silver Sigma Gamma Tau ΣΓΤ Aerospace engineering Red and White Sigma Lambda Alpha ΣΛΑ Landscape architecture Gold and Green Sigma Lambda Chi ΣΛΧ Construction management technology Green and Gold Sigma Phi Alpha ΣΦΑ Dental hygiene, women Deep purple Bright gold Sigma Phi Omega ΣΦΩ Gerontology Blue and Gold [59] Sigma Pi Sigma ΣΠΣ Physics and Astronomy Forest Green and Ivory Sigma Sigma Phi ΣΣΦ Osteopathic medicine and medicine Crimson and Royal blue Sigma Theta Tau ΣΘΤ Nursing Orchid and Fuchsia Sigma Xi ΣΞ Research in Science and Engineering Blue and Gold Sigma Zeta ΣΖ Natural sciences, Mathematics, and Computer science Blue and White Tau Alpha Pi ΤΑΠ Engineering technology Green and Gold Tau Beta Pi ΤΒΠ Engineering Seal Brown and White Tau Sigma Delta ΤΣΔ Architecture White and Gold Upsilon Pi Epsilon ΥΠΕ Computer science and computer engineering Green and Gold Xi Sigma Pi ΞΣΠ Forestry Green and Gray Local collegiate honor societies[edit]Some universities have their own independent, open honor societies, which are not affiliated with any national or international organization. Such organizations typically recognize students who have succeeded academically irrespective of their field of study.
Society Emphasis Institution Colors References Activities Honorary Society Leadership University of Illinois at Chicago [60] Aquinas Honor Society General, Seniors University of St. Thomas [61][62] Aurelian Yale University [63] Bucket & Dipper Scholaship, service, and leadership; Juniors Ohio State University [64][65][66][67][68] Cap and Skull Service and scholarship, Seniors Rutgers University Cannon and Castle Military Yale University Chimes Junior Class Honorary Scholarship, service, andleadership; Juniors
Ohio State University [64][69][70] Cincinnatus Honorary Society General University of Cincinnati Dean William Tate Society Scholarship and activities;Freshmen
University of Georgia [71][72] Florida Blue Key Leadership University of Florida Friar Society Seniors University of Texas at Austin [73] Innocents Society Seniors University of Nebraska–Lincoln Iron Arrow Honor Society Leadership and scholarship University of Miami [74] Iron Wedge University of Minnesota [75][d] Lion's Paw Senior Society Seniors Pennsylvania State University [76][77] Matteo Ricci Society General, fellowship candidates Fordham University [78] Mirrors Sophomore Honorary Scholarship, leadership,and service; Juniors
Ohio State University [64][79] Mountain Seniors West Virginia University [80][81][82][83] Order of the Golden Bear Honor and service University of California, Berkeley Owl and Key Seniors University of Utah Phalanx Scholarship and activities Clarkson University [84] Phalanx Honor Society Leadership and service, seniors Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute [85] Phi Alpha Epsilon (local) Scholarship and service Lebanon Valley College [86] Phi Alpha Epsilon at the University of Maryland College Park Family science, community health, kinesiology, and public health science University of Maryland, College Park [87] Plumb Bob Leadership University of Minnesota [88][89] QEBH Seniors University of Missouri Quill and Dagger Leadership and service Cornell University Raven Society General University of Virginia Raven's Claw Society Senior males Dickinson College Rho Theta Sigma Scholarship Northeastern State University [90] Romophos (inactive) Leadership, service, and scholarship; Sophomores Ohio State University [64][91][92] Senior Skull Honor Society Seniors leadership, scholarship, and citizenship University of Maine Sigma Sigma Upperclassmen University of Cincinnati Sigma Tau Sigma Textlles North Carolina State University Blue and White Signet Society Literary and artistic ability Harvard University Skull and Bones Seniors Pennsylvania State University [93] Skull and Dagger Seniors University of Southern California [94] Society of Innocents Seniors University of Nebraska–Lincoln [95] Sphinx (Inactive) Senior men West Virginia University [96][97] SPHINX Scholarship, leadership, citizenship,and service; Seniors
Ohio State University [64][98] Sphinx Head Seniors Cornell University Texnikoi Engineering Ohio State University Black and Yellow Tiger Brotherhood Service Clemson University [99][100] Torch Yale University [63] White Key Society Leadership and service,freshmen and sophomores
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute [85][101] Community college, two-year college, and vocational school honor societies[edit] Secondary school honor societies[edit]Commonly referred to as high school societies. This list also includes middle school societies.
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