National History
Pi Delta Phi was founded as a departmental honor society at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. After 20 years as a local chapter, Pi Delta Phi declared itself the National French Honor Society and chartered the Beta Chapter at the University of Southern California in 1925.
The Society expanded slowly during the next 15 years. Since the end of World War II, Pi Delta Phi has enjoyed phenomenal growth. At the present time, it numbers more than 275 chapters established at representative public and private colleges and universities in almost every state, as well as chapters in Paris and Aix-en-Provence.
The Society was admitted into membership in the Association of College Honor Societies in 1967.
The official publication of Pi Delta Phi is the Newsletter.
Purpose
The purpose of this Society shall be to:
- recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literature;
- to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world;
- to stimulate and encourage French cultural activities.
National Officers of Pi Delta Phi
President: Paul W. Wood, St. Bonaventure University
Immediate Past President: Rolande Léguillon
Regional Vice Presidents:
Carleen S. Legett, Morgan State University (Southeast)
Camille Vandeberg, Western Michigan University (North Central)
Pamela Park, Idaho State University (West)
Mary Jo Netherton, Morehead State University (South Central)
Clayton Alcorn, New York State University at Cortland (Northeast)
Executive Director: Dr. Mary Gutermuth, Sam Houston University
Editor Newsletter: Karen Renik, California Lutheran University
Officers of Eta Theta Chapter
President: Lucy Morrisette
Vice President: Courtney Sullivan
Chapter Adviser: Dr. Guy Imhoff, Ph. D., Associate Professor of French
Requirements for Regular Membership
In order for a student (graduate or undergraduate) to be inducted in the Honor Society, he or she must have:
- at least three semesters or five quarters of college courses including one semester of upper division French;
- a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in French courses;
- a class rank in the upper 35 percent of his or her class.
Honorary Membership
Honorary membership may be granted to members of the French faculty, diplomats and community leaders who have shown a strong support of French culture.