Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, was founded in 1920 for purposes of bringing together university and college students and faculty members who share an interest in government and politics. It is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and currently has chapters at nearly 800 campuses. The EMU chapter, Zeta Tau, was established in 1974.
Each year, the Zeta Tau chapter hosts lectures and other events that are of interest to students and faculty in the Political Science Department and to a broader campus audience. In what has become an annual event, the chapter sponsors a workshop on the processes of applying to law school and graduate school for all interested undergraduates at EMU. Members of Pi Sigma Alpha also enjoy casual movie and pizza nights and informal get-togethers to discuss contemporary political issues.
The EMU chapter has been awarded a number of activity grants from the national office for special programming. Recently, Dr. Marvin Overby of the University of Missouri visited the department to give classroom lectures and an evening presentation based on research he conducted as a distinguished scholar at the Library of Congress. Other grants have allowed our chapter to sponsor “group reads” and “students meet author” events. Providing these kinds of special educational opportunities is a hallmark of Pi Sigma Alpha.
To be eligible for Pi Sigma Alpha, students must achieve at least junior standing and have a B average in at least 10 hours of political science credit. For more information, please contact faculty advisor Dr. Tucker Staley.