Societies
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETIES
Honor societies at Hampton University are recognized for fostering and maintaining high academic standards, citizenship and collective scholarship within the student body. Undergirding every successful organization is an active, committed and dedicated advisor who mentors, and shepherds the members of the society.
ALPHA KAPPA DELTA
Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is the International Sociology Honor Society. AKD was founded in 1920 at the University of Southern California by Dr. Emory S. Bogardus and became affiliated with the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) in 1967. AKD is also affiliated with the American Sociological Association (ASA). The purpose of Alpha Kappa Delta is to seek to acknowledge and promote excellence in the scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition. Alpha Kappa Delta is a non-secret, democratic, international society of scholars dedicated to the ideal of Athropon Katamannthanein Diakonesin or “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.” Membership is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members from active chapters who meet our minimum standards. Currently, there are more than 130,000 members in Alpha Kappa Delta and over 670 chapters.
Dr. Idonia Barrett, Faculty Advisor
ALPHA KAPPA MU
Alpha Kappa Mu Interdisciplinary Honors Society was conceived in 1937. Its focus is to engage with and influence the academic excellent of American college and university students, irrespective of their major course of study. As such it is one of the few, interdisciplinary honors societies on the campus of Hampton University.
Promoting “high scholarship” and “sincere and zealous endeavors in all fields of knowledge and service,” Alpha Kappa Mu cultivates “a high order of personal living” while nurturing a student’s “appreciation for scholarly work and scholarly endeavor.” The organization “seek(s) and welcome(s) the superior college student with a serious purpose in general fields” of study.
During the 2020-2021 Academic Year, AKM facilitated a ZOOM panel discussion, entitled, “Saving Our Mothers: A Panel Discussion on Black Maternal Mortality” in November of 2020. The previous year, in February of 2019, they invited the Honorable Judge Bonnie L. Jones to speak on the topic of “Black Women in Law,” sharing her judicial experiences in the city of Hampton, VA. This semester, the organization is doubling its membership, recently inducting thirteen new members.
Dr. Karima K. Jeffrey, Faculty Advisor
ALPHA PHI SIGMA NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE HONOR SOCIETY
Alpha Phi Sigma was founded in 1942 at Washington State University. In 1976, it was designated as the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. This organization currently has over 360 chapters who share a commitment to learning and improving the criminal justice field. While the objective of Alpha Phi Sigma is to provide opportunities for the exploration of issues within the criminal justice system, the goal of the Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma at Hampton University is to raise awareness about minority issues in crime and criminal justice. Activities have included gift sales for fundraising activities and community service projects for disaster and trauma victims, participation in community health fairs to educate others about violence against women, child abuse and victimization, participation in a youth violence and safety conference in the city of Hampton, and presentations on criminal justice/criminology issues pertaining to women and youth of color at community organizations as part of in-service training.
The Society recognizes academic excellence by undergraduate and graduate students in the criminal justice/criminology or related field. Eligibility requirements for Alpha Phi Sigma include junior or senior student classification with a minimum of four completed criminology/criminal justice courses and a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2. Graduate students must be enrolled in a graduate criminology/criminal justice program or related field with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.4. Others may be elected to professional membership by the chapter if they have earned one or more degrees in the criminology/criminal justice or related field with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.4.
Dr. Zina T. McGee, Faculty Advisor
BETA KAPPA CHI
Hampton University’s Kappa Chapter of Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society is an organization that has developed a record of attracting members that are of high achievement, national acclaim in research and have shown exemplary performance in their respective disciplines. Started on the campus of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, Beta Kappa Chi was founded by young men who believed its motto: “Science Holds the Golden Key to the Royal Palace of Knowledge.” In 1921 or 1922, the seed for the establishment of Beta Kappa Chi took root in the minds of two or three undergraduate students. Nurtured in a soil well-watered by devoted, inspirational teachers such as Dr. Harold F. Grim, biology; Dr. Arthur E. James, chemistry; and Dr. Walter L. Wright in mathematics, this seed flowered in 1923 on the campus of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania.
Hampton University’s Kappa Chapter under the sponsorship of Dr. T.W. Turner began its embryonic development in 1943. Taking their names from the Greek alphabet in the order of their founding, chapters were rapidly developed during the period 1943-1945. Having used all the letters of the Greek alphabet, new chapters were designated Alpha, Alpha Beta, Alpha Gamma, etc. from 1946-1950. Then, at the national meeting in 1950 held at Central State College, the use of Greek designation for chapters was abolished and the chapters were to be designated by the name of the institution in which they were located. Beta Kappa Chi National Scientific Honor Society was founded in 1923 by the science faculty and science students of Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Beta Kappa Chi National Honor Society is a collegiate honor society dedicated to the promotion of high scholarship in pure and applied sciences. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies since 1961, Beta Kappa Chi now comprises 67 chapters at colleges and universities across the United States, with over 66,000 members.
The society publishes the Beta Kappa Chi Bulletin and a Booklet of Information; sponsors, stimulates, and encourages a variety of program activities through local chapters; conducts an annual national convention to transact society business and for the presentation of reports on research conducted by undergraduate and graduate members.
Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, Advisor
Dr. Isi Ero-Tolliver, Advisor
CHI ALPHA SIGMA-NATIONAL COLLEGE HONOR SOCIETY
VIRGINIA DELTA CHAPTER
In February 2005, Hampton University’s Department of Athletics became the fourth college or university in the Commonwealth of Virginia to join the National College Athlete Honor Society (NCAHS), Chi Alpha Sigma, and earned the distinction to be named the Virginia Delta Chapter. NCAHS differs from existing organizations in that it will honor junior and senior student-athletes who have maintained a grade-point average of at least 3.4 and have earned a varsity letter. With all the negative things going on in the athletic world, it would be encouraging to exhibit to the campus and the community that student-athletes at Hampton University are concerned about their academic performance.
The founder of the National College Athlete Honor Society, Coach Nick Mourouzis, head football coach at DePauw University, stated some very pertinent points for why such an organization would be beneficial to emphasize the positive behaviors of student-athletes. To quote: “College athletics have received a tremendous amount of criticism in recent years for overemphasizing athletics and under emphasizing academics. The National College Athlete Honor Society will honor student-athletes in a manner similar to the way Phi Beta Kappa recognizes its scholars. The honor society also will promote good citizenship, moral character, and leadership. We need to renew the emphasis on the ‘student’ part of the ‘student-athlete.”
NCAHS’s motto is, “Excellence in Academics and Athletics.” A motto we at Hampton embrace on daily basis.
Dr. Genese Lavalais, Advisor
GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Golden Key is the world’s largest collegiate honor society. Membership into the Society is by invitation only and applies to the top 15% of college and university sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as top-performing graduate students in all fields of study, based solely on their academic achievements. As an international honor society with more than 400 chapters at colleges and universities around the world, Golden Key is committed to a high standard of scholastic achievement, and an ethos of integrity, innovation, respect, collaboration, and diversity. With more than 2 million members, including honorary individuals like Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel and Bill Clinton, Golden Key carries an esteemed legacy of achievement. Members are a community with a linkage to widely respected individuals and ideals … all part of the continuum of excellence.
Golden Key offers its members exclusive opportunities and connections through over half a million dollars in scholarships and awards, partnerships with major corporations, career advancement and graduate programs. The Society also works with university faculty and administrators to develop and maintain one of the highest standards of education in the world. Activities have included fundraising events and community service projects for victims of natural disasters and violence, participation in school forums to educate others about youth mental health, and presentations on social issues pertaining to marginalized groups at community organizations as part of in-service training.
Dr. Zina T. McGee, Advisor
Mr. Robert Watson, Co-Advisor
KAPPA DELTA PI
Kappa Delta Pi, School of Liberal Arts and Education Professional Honor Society International, Inc. is called The Iota Mu Chapter. The purpose of the society shall be to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, and excellence in education, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in education.
Mrs. Peggy Peebles, Faculty Advisor
KAPPA TAU ALPHA
Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication. Membership is earned by excellence in academic work and is a mark of highest distinction and honor. The seventh oldest national honor society, Kappa Tau Alpha was founded at the University of Missouri in 1910 at the world’s first school of journalism. The emblem of Kappa Tau Alpha is the key, the oldest symbol of knowledge and communication. The Greek letters mean “The Truth Will Prevail.” The letters also suggest three English words: knowledge, truth and accuracy.
Ms. Lynn Waltz, Faculty Advisor
OMEGA CHI EPSILON
Omega Chi Epsilon is the national honor society for chemical engineering and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The Gamma Beta chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon was chartered at Hampton University in 2009, however, it was recently re-established in November of 2018 with the initiation of new members. Omega Chi Epsilon promotes high scholarship, leadership, character, and integrity. The honor society’s motto is “In this society professionalism is engraved in our minds.” In addition, the five main objectives of Omega Chi Epsilon are recognition, investigation, service, comradeship, and professionalism within the chemical engineering community.
Omega Chi Epsilon has hosted several events within the School of Engineering and Technology such as speed mentoring and tutoring for math, science, and engineering courses. In this virtual environment, the honor society has recently begun a seminar series where alumni and other engineering professionals are able to share valuable advice regarding graduate school, research, internship opportunities, and more, with current undergraduate students.
Dr. Jerald Dumas, Advisor
PHI ALPHA THETA
Phi Alpha Theta is the National History Honors Society. Hampton University hosts the first charter at an HBCU. We are professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.
Dr. Catherine Porter, Advisor
PHI ETA SIGMA
Phi Eta Sigma is an American freshman honor society. Founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, it is the oldest and largest freshman honor society and now has more than three hundred and seventy-five chapters throughout the United States and more than 1,100,000 members. The Hampton University Chapter was chartered in November 2018 as the 384th chapter and only the 2nd chapter established at an HBCU.
Dr. Rikesha Fry Brown, Advisor
PI SIGMA ALPHA
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of political and social sciences in the United States. Its purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of political science. The Upsilon Theta Chapter was chartered on the campus of Hampton University on November 17, 1994 with 28 members, including former Newport News mayor The Honorable Jessie M. Rattley. The chapter fundraises to award scholarships to deserving political science majors in need and participates in the Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference.
Dr. Mamie E. Locke, Advisor
PSI CHI
Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded in 1929. Its mission is to encourage excellence in scholarship and advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi’s mission is “Recognizing and promoting excellence in the science and application of psychology. The chief purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship of the individual members in all fields, particularly in psychology.
Dr. Richard Dixon, Advisor
RHO CHI
The Rho Chi Society was established in 1922 and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The Rho Chi Society encourages and recognizes excellence in intellectual achievement and advocates critical inquiry in all aspects of the profession of Pharmacy. The Rho Chi Society further encourages high standards regarding academic excellence, code of conduct, moral character, and positive fellowship among its members. The Rho Chi Society seeks universal recognition of its members as lifelong intellectual leaders in Pharmacy, and as a community of scholars, to instill the desire to pursue intellectual excellence and critical inquiry to advance the profession of Pharmacy.
The Rho Chi Society Gamma Xi chapter of Hampton University was established in 2002. The chapter mission is to 1) recognize student intellectual achievement, 2) improve student collaboration within the pharmacy classes (P1, P2, P3 and P4) and 3) enhance awareness of distinctive career pathways within the profession of pharmacy.
Dr. Simone Heyliger, Advisor
Dr. Marily D. Saulsbury, Assistant Advisor
SIGMA BETA DELTA
Sigma Beta Delta (ΣΒΔ) is a scholastic honor society that recognizes academic achievement among students in the fields of business, management, and administration.
Dr. Ruby Beale, Advisor
SIGMA TAU DELTA
Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, was established in 1924 to confer distinction for high achievement in English language, literature, and writing in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies.
The expectations placed on our members are high, but we are proud to report that our English Honor Society students do more than meet these expectations- they exceed them. In addition to maintaining the Honor Society’s academic standards, the members of Sigma Tau Delta strive to be visible role models in the Hampton Roads community; throughout the past few years they have tutored high school students, sponsored film viewing and open mic poetry nights, read to preschoolers, organized a book drive to benefit children in domestic violence and homeless shelters, and hosted celebrations honoring authors ranging from William Shakespeare to Dr. Seuss.
Dr. Elizabeth Cuddy, Advisor
TAU SIGMA DELTA
Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts is the only national honor society for architecture and design majors that is accredited by the Association of College Honor Societies. The society recognizes individuals who have demonstrated intellectual achievement, effort, and initiative, as well as qualities in leadership and character. Membership of this organization is offered to undergraduate and graduate students who attain high scholastic standing in their field. Hampton University’s Iota Alpha Chapter was chartered in 2006. The requirements for eligibility in this chapter include being a third-year student or higher, an architectural GPA of 3.0 or higher, and within the top 20% of their class.
Dr. Carmina Sanchez, Advisor
UPSILON PHI DELTA
The mission of the Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society is to recognize, reward, and encourage academic excellence in the study of healthcare management and policy.
Goals
- To encourage interest in academic preparation for careers in healthcare management and policy
- To promote activity that will elevate the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of women and men preparing for careers in healthcare management, policy, and leadership
- To provide financial assistance through scholarships to outstanding students pursuing academic degrees that prepare individuals for careers in healthcare management, policy, and leadership
- To recognize, by means of granting honorary memberships, individuals who have made outstanding contribution to the profession.
Dr. Jacqueline Sharpe, Advisor
UPSILON PI EPSILON
The computing and information disciplines are relatively young. Yet despite their comparative youth, the computing and information disciplines 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 express purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) to promote the computing and information disciplines and to encourage their contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.
UPE was first organized at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, in 1967. The international organization now consists of chapters in various colleges and universities in North America and overseas. UPE is the first and only, existing international honor society in the Computing and Information disciplines. The mission of UPE is to recognize academic excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the Computing and Information Disciplines. UPE is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). UPE has received endorsements from the two largest computer organizations in the world, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS). UPE is also a charter member of The International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES).
Mr. Bruce Chittenden, Advisor
Upcoming Events
- There are no upcoming events.