HONORARY AND CO-CURRICULAR ORGANIZATIONS Phi Beta Kappa, national honor society, recognizes high academic achievement and seeks to foster the spirit of active scholarship. Its members are encouraged to assume leadership in student affairs. Election to Phi Beta Kappa is perhaps the most prized honor a college student can receive. Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic excellence become eligible for election after completing at least five consecutive semesters. Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. It is the oldest fraternity in America. The Sewanee Chapter, Beta of Tennessee, was established in 1926.
Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national Pre-Medical Honor Society, was founded in 1926 at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Tennessee Epsilon Chapter was established in January of 1984. The object of the Society is to encourage excellence in undergraduate scholarship leading to a career in the health professions, including medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, veterinary medicine, psychiatric medicine and other allied health professions. Associate membership is open to all students interested in health careers, regardless of class or scholastic average. Active membership is based upon a science and overall grade point average of 3.00, a completion of 60 semester hours, and a good record as an associate member.
The Art Forum promotes exposure, both to the student body of the University as well as the Sewanee community, to the visual arts.
The Chemical Society is a national organization that provides a social, professional, and networking arena for students interested in pursuing a career in chemistry.
Der Deutsche Verein, the German club, holds lively meetings marking German cultural celebrations and is dedicated to a deeper understanding of the German language and culture. The first foreign language club to be organized at Sewanee, Der Deautsche Verein is open to all interested in the German language and culture.
The Economics and Business Club is an organization consisting of economics majors and those with an interest in economics. Its function includes bringing lecturers to the Sewanee community to discuss current economic events and career-oriented topics. Membership is open to all interested persons.
Eta Sigma Phi, the Sewanee chapter of the national honor classics fraternity, helps students gain an appreciation for the classics through guest lecturers, museum visits and get-togethers as well as participation in the national fraternity’s conventions.
The Forestry Club is a rather loosely structured organization whose members share a common interest in forest-oriented activities. The Club maintains the Forestry Cabin, lake, and environs located in the forest a few miles from the central campus. Throughout the school year, the Forestry Club sponsors lectures and films on forestry, wildlife, and related activities and holds informal barbecues at the Forestry Cabin. The majority of its members are natural resources majors, but any student is welcome to join.
The German House, established in 1978, offers students an opportunity to improve their German language skills. Cultural and social events sponsored by the House provide an educational atmosphere for German students and the community. Interested students should submit their application to the German Department.
La Maison Francaise, founded in 1973, is the campus center for French cultural activities. Many of its programs are open to those members of the community who share with the student residents in an interest in enhancing their understanding of France and in improving their language skills. The Director of La Maison Francaise, always a French native, is chosen by the member of the French Department who also participates in planning and carrying out the program of events for the year. Application for residency is submitted to the French Department.
Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honor society including three percent of the student body in its membership. ODK recognizes students for their academic excellence and spirited engagement in life on the Mountain.
Phi Alpha Theta is a national history society. Members are selected by the history department based on academic achievement in history courses. A minimum of seven courses in history and a 3.2 grade is required.
The Philosophy Club provides a forum for students, faculty, and staff with an interest in philosophy to gather in an informal manner. The club hosts a social gathering each semester and sponsors a film series, speakers and paper presentations from students, faculty, and outside scholars. The club president is the ex officio president of Sewanee's local chapter of the Phi Sigma Tau Philosophy Honors society, which awards distinction to students having high scholarship and personal interest in philosophy.
Pi Sigma Alpha is a national honor society recognizing excellence in the study of Political Science. Pi Sigma Alpha hosts lectures, interacts closely with the Political Science faculty, and supports paper presentations by professors and students. The Pre-Law Club was organized in 1961. The association is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are considering law as a profession. The group sponsors lectures by noted men and women of jurisprudence.
Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. It was founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to men and women who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum qualifications.
The Psychology Club provides an interactive group through which Psychology majors as well as other students interested in Psychology can learn more about the field, various types of research, and the professional opportunities available.
The Russian Club is an organization which strives to acquaint students with Russia’s rich cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage. Included in this effort are weekly Russian Table meetings, at which students are encouraged to practice their Russian language skills, as well as the occasional movie, speaker, or trip. The Russian Club is open to all students, regardless of whether or not they speak or study the Russian language.
The Russian House offers students the opportunity to further their knowledge of the Russian language and culture. The house provides additional educational opportunities for students, conversational practice, films, teas, and other social and educational occasions.
Sewanee Computing Society was organized to provide a means of communication between people having an interest in computing. SCS sponsors trips, lectures, contests and other activities. These activities are aimed at augmenting the traditional liberal arts approach to computing.
Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish honorary fraternity is dedicated to the promotion of Spanish Culture. To be bid by Sigma Delta Pi, it is necessary to be in the upper 35% of one’s class, to have begun the study of Spanish literature, and to have at least a B average in Spanish.
Sigma Pi Sigma, the only national Physics Honor Society, was established May 26, 1958. The chapter receives into membership physics students and a limited number from closely related fields when such students attain high standards of scholarship, professional merit, and academic distinction.
Society of St. Cecelia, named after the patron saint of music, has a twofold purpose: to enhance musical life at Sewanee through the sponsorship of public performances and to encourage an increased awareness of non-commercial music in the student body.
The Spanish Club is an honorary organization composed of students who have shown excellence in the Spanish language and interest in the Hispanic cultures. The yearly program includes speakers, films, and fiestas.
The Spanish House, founded in 1977, gives its residents the opportunity to use the Spanish language in their everyday lives. The House sponsors various cultural and social activities which include other students of Spanish and members of the community. Residents are selected on the basis of interest in Hispanic culture and aptitude in Spanish.
The University Choir is first and foremost a Chapel choir. The group sings every Sunday for the University service in All Saints’ Chapel, and also offers an Evensong service on the first Sunday of the month. The choir performs services of Lessons and Carols during Advent semester, and a major work late in the Easter semester. The audition process is nominal, merely a placement of voices into sections. No previous experience is necessary, and choir may be taken for one hour of academic credit each semester. The University Orchestra is devoted to the performance of serious chamber music repertory and on occasion plays as a pit orchestra for performances of opera and musical theater. Academic credit is available for participation in the orchestra.
