This page was most recently updated January 14, 2009.
Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, was founded at the University of Texas at Austin in 1920. MSU's Upsilon Alpha chapter has become a very active student organization in the Department of Political Science/Law Enforcement. Since 1999, the chapter has sponsored career days and speakers, hosted initiation banquets with keynote speakers (in 2003 and 2005), traveled to the Midwest Political Science Undergraduate Research Conference in Kansas City (2003), Omaha (2004), Morris, MN (2005), and Wartburg College, Waverly, IA (2008), and hosted the same conference at MSU in March 2006. Six Pi Sigma Alpha students joined Chapter Advisor Fred Slocum to attend the 2007 Midwest Political Science Association conference, April 12-15, in Chicago. In 2008, some students and Dr. Slocum attended a March 7 lecture at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cites, and the Midwest Political Science Association conference, April 3-6, again in Chicago. Since 2000, Upsilon Alpha chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha has won eight Chapter Activity Grants from the Pi Sigma Alpha national office to support these projects. Upsilon Alpha chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha is a Recognized Student Organization at MSU. For more information on Pi Sigma Alpha's national organization, and to learn about its programs and opportunities for individual chapters like ours, go to the national Pi Sigma Alpha website. To read past Pi Sigma Alpha newsletters sponsored by the national office go to the newsletter page.
Click here for photos from past events, including initiations, chapter trips and other activities of Upsilon Alpha chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha.
Objectives: To promote beyond-the-classroom activities, experiences and social opportunities for students in political science, international relations and public administration; to recognize and encourage excellence of scholarship in political science and related fields; and to promote student interest in political science and related fields.
Requirements: For undergraduate students, membership requires completion of 10 semester credits or 15 quarter credits of coursework in political science, international relations and/or public administration, including at least one upper-division course, with a B average in all those courses, and maintenance of overall scholarship sufficient to place the student in the top one-third of his or her class. For graduate students, membership requires completion of at least 9 graduate credits in political science, with no grade lower than a B in those courses. Pi Sigma Alpha is open to undergraduate or graduate students of any major.
Graduation Recognition: Graduating student members of Pi Sigma Alpha are recognized in the bulletin for MSU's commencement ceremonies. In addition, students may wear Pi Sigma Alpha medallions, honor cords or both at graduation.
No Annual Dues: Induction ceremonies are held each semester. There is a one-time induction fee of $30, which confers membership in Pi Sigma Alpha for life. All members receive an attractive certificate, suitable for framing, from Pi Sigma Alpha's national office. Other Pi Sigma Alpha merchandise, such as pins, mugs, medallions and honor cords, are also available from the national office.
Congratulations to Meagan Hertzog, Sally Stenzel, Jacob Olson, Jared Wittmers and Mark Wood, who were inducted in the fall semester 2008 initiation on December 4.
2008-2009 Officers:
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
For more information, contact: Dr. Fred Slocum, Chapter Advisor.
Office: 204A Morris Hall.
Phone (507) 389-6935.
E-mail: frederick.slocum@mnsu.edu.
Click here to go to Dr. Slocum's home page.
