Alpha Lambda Delta
Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year in college. Founded as an honorary for freshman women at the University of Illinois in 1924, ALD became a national organization as chapters were established at Purdue in 1926 and at Depauw in 1927. Its purpose is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist men and women in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.
With 215 chapters throughout the nation, more than 450,000 students have been initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta. The society consists of active members, upper classmen, alumni, honorary members, faculty advisors, administrative advisors, and its governing body - the National Council. Located in Muncie, Indiana, the National Headquarters is staffed by an executive director and several assistants. Business of the organization is conducted at the annual meeting of the National Council, whose members include elected officers as well as professional and student representatives.
Alpha Lambda Delta's official symbol is a gold candle with Greek letters superimposed on the candle holder. Colors of the society are red, gold, and white. The coat of arms is a gold-bordered black shield with a red-tipped white candle, above which is a white altar with an open book on it.
Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Eta Sigma (PES), the oldest and largest freshman honor society in the United States, was founded at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923. There are now more than 300 chapters throughout the United States and over 700,000 members. PES was voted membership into the Association of College Honor Societies in 1937. Only three societies have had longer continuous membership. The goal of this organization is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-year students in institutions of higher learning.
The crest of PES represents the symbols of the society. The torch and book are emblematic of scholarship, the pyramid of a strong, healthy body, and the gold star of noble character. The chain links the symbols together indicating that all three must be combined in a person who would attain the highest development. The Greek letters on the scroll form the name of the society. They are the initials of the Greek words that mean "Lovers of Wisdom." The colors are gold and black, and the motto is "Knowledge is Power."
Why are we combined?
In the early 1970's, Congress passed the Title IX federal legislation that required any university receiving federal funds (grants for research or scholarships) to forbid single-sex organizations existing on their campuses. The only exceptions allowed were fraternities, sororities, and athletic teams (although it is this same legislation that stimulated more emphasis on women's athletics). As a result, class honor societies such as Alpha Lambda Delta which had been limited to only women and Phi Eta Sigma which had been limited to only men found themselves facing a decision: how to be in compliance with this new demand in order to maintain their affiliations with the university.
Other class honor societies, e.g. Mortar Board and Sphinx (two senior honoraries) decided to open their memberships to both sexes but to keep their individual identities and remain as separate organizations. Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma at Ohio State University decided to each admit both men and women and then to join together as one organization with one set of officers. Because both organizations still have separate National Offices, the two groups must maintain separate treasuries for tax purposes and thus there are still two treasurers.
