Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha is a National Honor Societycreated specifically for students and faculty members in the fields of Government and Political Science. It is an accredited member society of the Association of College Honor Societies, ranking as the third largest member.
The aim of our chapter is To stimulate scholarship and intelligent interest in political science; to provide for the academic recognition of inductees; and to organize and conduct national and international seminars, conferences, research, discussion groups, study groups, and publications in the area of political science.
Pi Sigma Alpha was founded by C. Perry Patterson at the University of Texas in Austin in 1920. The first national convention was held at the University of Oklahoma in 1922. Growth of the society boomed in the years following World War II and today there are over 460 chapters throughout the United States including at least one in each state, the District of Columbia, and, as of 1995, the U.S. territory of Guam.In 1997, Angelo State University established its own branch of Pi Sigma Alpha, which was officially titled Phi Mu Chapter by the national organization. In 1998, Texas State Rep. Rob Junell (D), 72nd District, San Angelo, and in 2001, former San Angelo Mayor Col. Johnny C. Fender were inducted as honorary members of Pi Sigma Alpha's Phi Mu Chapter at Angelo State University.
The society functions at the national level, sponsoring programs and events of value to the profession and teaching of political science, and at the chapter level. Each chapter is encouraged to provide a framework for enriching the exposure of its members and the wider university community to the study of government and issues of public concern. Pi Sigma Alpha seeks to promote excellence in the study of political science through a variety of programs, some of direct benefit to student members and local chapters and others targeted more generally at the profession of political science.
Students qualify if they:
1) major or minor in Government, Public Administration, or International Studies;
2) have completed at least 12 semester credit hours of Government courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate students: GPA 3.5 or higher);
3) have an overall GPA of 3.25 (graduate students: GPA is 3.5 or higher).
Membership brings you a number of benefits, all for only a one-time fee of $25 to the National Society for a life-time membership, plus a $10 one-time fee to the local chapter (Phi Mu) that cover the operational needs of the chapter.
Benefits of membership include:1) a certificate worth framing,
2) lifetime membership,
3) a valuable item for your resume,
4) furtherance of a professional career,
5) opportunities to work closely with those who share common interests,
6) an opportunity to compete for best paper awards and
7) an opportunity to compete for a scholarship for the first and second year of graduate school.
For questions, email the Chapter's faculty advisor, Dr. Ed Olson, Head of the Department of Government.