So what is Phi Alpha Theta?
Phi Alpha Theta is the national honor society in history. It was first organized at the University of Arkansas in 1921. Since then it has grown to more than eight hundred chapters and has more chapters than any of the other accredited honor societies. Located at Ohio State Univerisity is the Zeta Chapter. The Zeta Chapter provides leadership for The History Club, which is open to any student, regardless of major or eligibility for Phi Alpha Theta. Siobhan Henterly is the current President of the Zeta chapter.
"Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose purpose is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. It seeks to bring students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially; and it encourages and assists historical research and publication by its members in a variety of ways."
What is the difference in Phi Alpha Theta and History Club?
If you are confused about the difference don't be! The History Club is an informal organization that brings Ohio State University students interested in history together for extracurricular activities. These activities result from ideas proposed by students, and students take the lead in arranging the activities. The faculty and the department provide assistance and help facilitate these activities. The History Club began in 1999 under the leadership of the Zeta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honorary Society. You should follow that link above to learn about upcoming activities. You do not have to be in Phi Alpha Theta to take part in the History Club.
What does Phi Alpha Theta do?
- The national organization of Phi Alpha Theta publishes a scholarly magazine, The Historian
- Holds biennial national conventions, where students and professors meet to exchange ideas and research papers.
- Members can take part in regional meetings of Phi Alpha Theta.
- Phi Alpha Theta awards scholarships to help students pursue their studies in history.
- Students may communicate with one another through HistMajors, a listservice maintained by the History Department.
- In 2004 we published the first issue of our on-line journal, The Dulles Review. The primary goal of The Dulles Review is to recognize outstanding undergraduate historical scholarship.
Other Big Ten Chapters on the Web:
- University of Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Michigan
- University of Illinois
- Purdue University
