(Bottom Row, Left to Right) Heather Greer, Jenny White, Melissa Threadgill, Cynthia Wellborn (Top Row, Left to Right) David Rabe, Blaire Oakley
Erskine's Phi Alpha Theta Chapter Wins Again
By Amber E. Sheldon '04
The French Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights Movement — all these topics and more are on the minds of the members of the Psi- Xi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, Erskine’s history honor society.
While every major on campus has its own honor society, Phi Alpha Theta stands out: in the past 14 years, the society has been named best chapter 13 times for Division I, made up of schools with under 3,000 students. The 2001-2002 academic year marked another win for Erskine's Psi-Xi chapter. The award, announced this fall, comes with a $250 prize to be used for the purchase of books for McCain Library at Erskine.
Best chapter winners are chosen by the national office of Phi Alpha Theta, and some of the criteria for consideration are the number and kind of history-related activities the chapter sponsors on or off campus; involvement with department faculty in society-sponsored events; participation in the regional meeting; submission of a winning paper at the regional meeting; and activities of society members, both students and sponsors, outside the organization.
Why do the Erskine students who are members of Phi Alpha Theta believe their chapter has been honored so many times?
Erskine senior Jenny White of Anderson, this year's president, believes at least part of the group’s success can be attributed to keen participation. “Everyone’s so involved with history. We’re quiet and we’re into what we do,” she said.
David Rabe, a senior from Donalds who serves as vice president this year, cited the cohesion of the chapter. “We all like each other,” he said. “We’re a small group and we work well together.”
Though several members graduated in 2001, students were inducted during the spring semester and the group plans to tap more members this year. One of the chapter's newest members is senior E.B. Kennedy Scholar Blaire Oakley of Conyers, Ga. Now a double major in philosophy and psychology, Oakley said she had little interest in history in high school.
"My interest was sparked when I came to Erskine," said Oakley. "I was challenged by the courses and developed a love for the subject. It is such an honor to be a part of Phi Alpha Theta.”
Oakley believes Phi Alpha Theta's success is linked to the quality of Erskine's history faculty members. “Erskine has been blessed with professors who convey their love for history with such zeal," said Oakley. "They foster an environment where students and faculty learn and grow together in their intellectual pursuits."
"One thing I think is important about Phi Alpha Theta is the role it plays in encouraging students in their research in history," said Dr. Sandra Chaney, chapter advisor. "Last year Keith Poston presented his paper at Phi Alpha Theta's Biennial Convention in San Antonio, Texas. And our students were enthusiastic when we were asked to host the regional meeting here last April."
This years’ student members are senior Jenny White, president; senior David Rabe, vice-president; senior Blaire Oakley, secretary; senior Cynthia Wellborn, treasurer; senior Heather Greer, historian; and senior Melissa Threadgill. Faculty members in addition to Chaney are Dr. David Grier, Dr. James Gettys, and Ms. Sara Morrison. Erskine president Dr. John Carson is also a member and addressed the regional meeting held at Erskine this year.
To be eligible for membership in the Psi-Xi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, students must have taken twelve hours of history, with at least two of these classes being graded classes at Erskine. Students must also maintain better than a 3.0 grade point average in their history classes and at least a 3.0 in their non-history classes, and must be in the top third of their class.
2001-2002 Officers
(Bottom Row, Left to Right) Carolyn Bursley, President; Jamie White, Vice President; Elizabeth Leaphart Poston, Secretary; Keith Poston, Treasurer; Beth Melton, Historian
