Northwestern history, political science honor societies welcome new initiates

April 28, 2016

Dr. Aaron Mason, (far left) associate professor of political science, and Dr. Eric Schmaltz, professor of history (far right) stand with new Phi Alpha Theta and Pi Sigma Alpha initiates: (second from left continuing to right) Rebekah Wagenbach, RaLyssa Taylor, Connor McGee, Stefan Simpson, Jordan Evans and Jack Nicholson.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Social Sciences Department played host to the initiation ceremony for history honor society Phi Alpha Theta and the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha on Monday, April 25.

Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society with a mission to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. Phi Alpha Theta seeks to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges that promote and assist historical research and publication by its members in various ways.

To be a member in Phi Alpha Theta, undergraduates must have an overall 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) while graduates must have a 3.5 GPA. Students must have a 3.1 GPA in history courses along with 12 hours of history courses completed in their degree.

Initiates for 2016 Phi Alpha Theta include Wyatt Carter, junior unspecified major from Okarche; Jordan Evans, senior history major from Edmond; Connor McGee, junior history major from Cherokee; Stefan Simpson, senior political science major from Frederick; RaLyssa Taylor, senior political science major from Alva; and Rebekah Wagenbach, graduate student in American Studies from Kiowa, Kansas.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Honor Society for political science, founded in 1920. Membership recognizes outstanding academic achievement in political science and promotes excellence in political awareness and civic engagement.

To be a member in Pi Sigma Alpha students must have a 3.0 GPA in political science along with 12 hours of political sciences courses completed. Students must also be within the top third of their senior class.

Initiates for 2016 Pi Sigma Alpha include Jack Nicholson, senior political science major from Mooreland, Simpson and Taylor.

For more information on honor societies within Northwestern’s Social Sciences Department, contact Dr. Kay Decker, department chair and professor of sociology, at (580) 327-8521 or kldecker@nwosu.edu.

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