University Honors and Honor Societies

Hamline chapters of national honor societies

• Alpha Alpha Alpha

  The Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society is a national honor society that celebrates the success of first-generation college students, and on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, Hamline University officially launched the Theta Psi Chapter of the honor society, with 41 students and six staff members initiated at the Charting and Initiation Ceremony.

  To be eligible to join, you must complete a membership application and also meet the following criteria:

  • Be a current, full-time degree-seeking student
  • Have completed at least 32 credit hours, of which at least one full-time semester must have been completed at Hamline University
  • Achieved an overall GPA of at least 3.2 in all of your coursework
  • Come from a family where neither parent nor legal guardian has earned a bachelor’s degree

  Advisor: Carlos D. Sneed, AVP/Associate Dean of Students

  Visit the national Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society website.

• Alpha Kappa Delta

  Alpha Kappa Delta is an international society of scholars dedicated to the ideal of Athropon Katamanthanein Diakonesein, or “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.” Alpha Kappa Delta seeks to acknowledge and promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology and the research of social problems. Undergraduate membership is limited to sociology majors (or those who have demonstrated a serious interest in sociology), who are juniors or seniors, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA.

  Advisor: Ryan LeCount

  Visit the national Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society website.

• Beta Beta Beta

  This society has a three-fold purpose: Stimulation of sound scholarship, dissemination of scientific knowledge, and promotion of biological research. Requirements for membership include concentration in the field of biology and superior scholarship.

  Advisor: Leif Hembre

  Visit the national Beta Beta Beta biology honor society website.

• Omicron Delta Kappa

  Hamline University is proud to have had an Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Circle on its campus since 2008. ODK is the National Leadership Honor Society in the United States and the society recognizes junior and senior students who have excelled in academics while being leaders of organizations, teams and programs on college campuses. ODK places emphasis upon the development of the whole person, both as a present member of their college community and as a prospective contributor to a better society.

  At Hamline University, ODK was formed from the Brooks-Osnes Leadership Honorary Society founded in 2004 at the 150th Anniversary of Hamline University.

  The motives which guided the founders of ODK sprang from a desire to bring together in one body, for the general good of the institution, all leaders in the various phases of college activities. They were convinced that such an honor society, properly conducted, would offer maximum opportunities and experiences for the campus. It would also serve as a cooperative effort for more effective leadership and service in the purposes, interests, and needs of the institution, and for the maintenance and improvement of the unity and democracy of learning and citizenship responsibilities.

  At Hamline University, the same motives of leadership and the betterment of society were instrumental in the founding of the Brooks-Osnes Society and then ODK. The Dean of Students Office serves in an advisory capacity for ODK and the Dean serves as Faculty Secretary. Each year an average of 30 new student members and 10 new faculty and staff are inducted into the Hamline circle.

  Hamline's Circle at the Omicron Delta Kappa National Office 

  Visit the national Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society website.

• Phi Beta Kappa

  The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the oldest honor society in the United States for undergraduates in the liberal arts and sciences. Established in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, the Society has played an important part in the intellectual history of the nation for more than two hundred years, and has counted among its members leading scholars, justices of the supreme court, business leaders and others. The Society publishes an academic journal, The American Scholar, which takes its name from the address delivered by Ralph Waldo Emerson to the Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Harvard University on August 31, 1837.

  The Minnesota Zeta Chapter was established at Hamline University in August of 1973.

  Election to membership is an honor conferred in recognition of students’ personal qualifications, the breadth and depth of their academic work, and their scholarly achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.

  Visit the national Phi Beta Kappa honor society website.

• Psi Chi

  Psi Chi is an international organization of professionals, scientists, faculty, students, and alumni whose mission is to recognize and promote excellence in the science and application of psychology. Membership in Psi Chi is open to students who are majoring or minoring in psychology. 

  Advisor: Paula Mullineaux 

  Visit the national Psi Chi psychology honor society website.
   

• Sigma Beta Delta

  Founded in 1994, Sigma Beta Delta recognizes outstanding scholarship by students enrolled in business and economics baccalaureate degree programs. Its purposes are to promote high scholarship in business and economics education and to recognize and award scholastic achievement.

  Visit the national Sigma Beta Delta business honor society website.

• Sigma Delta Pi

  A prestigious national Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Pi elects outstanding students who demonstrate skills and interest in the language and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.  The Hamline chapter of Sigma Delta Pi is Lambda Omicron.  Every year ~10 Hamline seniors are initiated into this Honors Society.  

  Advisor: Maria Jesus Leal 

  Visit the national Sigma Delta Pi Spanish honor society website.