Founded in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) is an honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. Our 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 professors together for intellectual and social exchanges which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.
Nationwide, Phi Alpha Theta has over 40,000 members, and it awards over 25 scholarships and prizes annually (doctoral and graduate student scholarships, undergraduate student scholarship, paper prizes, book awards, manuscript award, best chapter awards, student history journal awards). There are national and regional conferences which provide opportunities for networking and presenting papers.
The Iowa State Kappa Iota chapter is always happy to have new members! We hold meetings throughout the academic year, usually with refreshments and often with a short talk by faculty or students. We’ve also been involved with service projects in the Ames area. We hold a book sale, give out an annual award to a faculty member in the spring, and participate in the annual Department of History banquet. Joining provides opportunities for leadership positions, for meeting grad students and faculty in informal settings, for networking and learning — plus, we have fun! And it looks good having this national honor society on your resume.
Undergraduate students are eligible if they have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in history earned in the classroom, online, or through AP or transfer credits (or a combination thereof). A minimum GPA of 3.1 in history and 3.0 GPA overall are required. A student need not be a history major to apply. You must fill out this application form and pay the one-time national membership fee of $50.00. Once you join, you’re a member for life!
Interested? Contact PAT’s faculty advisor, Stacy Cordery: cordery@iastate.edu