GEORGIA KAPPA CHAPTER

at NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE

& STATE UNIVERSITY

of the

PI GAMMA MU

International Social Science

Honor Society

     For information about the 2007 Southeastern Region conference in Tampa, Fla., click here.

     For information about the 2008 triennial international convention in Atlanta, click here.

WHAT ARE WE?

     The Georgia Kappa Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu recognizes undergraduate and graduate NGCSU students who have distinguished themselves as scholars of the social sciences.  Once a year--at the Honor Societies' Initiation Banquet on Honors Day in April--our chapter initiates students who have qualified for membership.

WHAT ARE THE SOCIAL SCIENCES?

     The social sciences are those academic disciplines that are concerned principally with human behavior.  Pi Gamma Mu considers the following fields to be included among the social sciences:  anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, international relations, political science, psychology, and sociology.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP?

     The Georgia Kappa Chapter's qualifications are somewhat more demanding than the minimum criteria established in Pi Gamma Mu's international constitution.  At NGCSU, an undergraduate is eligible if he has completed 60 credits (at least 20 of which must have been earned in residence at NGCSU), at least 24 credits in the social sciences, and at least 12 upper-division credits in social science earned in residence.  A cumulative GPA of 3.0 at all institutions, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at NGCSU, and a GPA of 3.2 in the social sciences are minimum requirements.  The student must not have obtained an "F" or "WF" in any course in the social sciences.

     A graduate student is eligible if she (1) had an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 and (2) has completed 21 graduate credits in social science in residence with a GPA of at least 3.75.  The undergraduate GPA requirement may be waived if more than five years have elapsed since conferral of the bachelor's degree and the graduate student has a record of demonstrated accomplishment in the intervening period.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF PI GAMMA MU?

     Pi Gamma Mu was founded in 1924 by Dean Leroy Allen at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, and Dean William A. Hamilton at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  It currently has chapters at 170 colleges and universities and has over 200,000 members.  There are chapters in the United States and in the Philippine Islands.  For more information about Pi Gamma Mu, visit the Pi Gamma Mu home page.

HOW IS PI GAMMA MU ORGANIZED?

     Pi Gamma Mu is governed by an international board of trustees, consisting of the international president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary-treasurer, five regional chancellors, and two student representatives.  Past international presidents Scott D. Johnston and Hugh C. Bailey (president emeritus of Valdosta State University) are also trustees ex-officio.

     The chancellors represent the Atlantic, North Central, North Eastern, Southwestern, and Western Regions.  The Georgia Kappa Chapter is located in the Atlantic Region.  For more information about the Atlantic Region, visit the Atlantic Region home page.  Most states are designated as "provinces" of Pi Gamma Mu; the honor society's representatives in the province is given the title of governor.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE GEORGIA KAPPA CHAPTER?

     Pi Gamma Mu was brought to North Georgia College in 1994 by Linda B. August, associate professor of sociology, who was initiated as an undergraduate student at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga., and Dr. Barry D. Friedman, professor of political science, who was initiated as a faculty member at Valdosta State University in 1992.  The Georgia Kappa Chapter was established on May 20, 1994, when Dr. Gordon E. Mercer, then international secretary-treasurer (and now international president), and the late Dr. Richter Moore, then chancellor of the Atlantic Region, presented a charter to us at our charter banquet.

     Later in 1994, Prof. August and Dr. Friedman proposed to the officers of the college's other honor societies that a coordinating council of honor societies should be established.  On February 14, 1995, the Council of Honor Societies was established; the Georgia Kappa Chapter became one of the six charter members of the council.  The Council of Honor Societies hosts NGCSU's annual Honor Societies' Initiation Banquet on Honors Day in April.  Visit the home page of the Council of Honor Societies for more information.

Look at some pictures from the 2000 Honor Societies' Initiation Banquet, featuring Pi Gamma Mu officers and members.

     The Georgia Kappa Chapter has been recognized by the international board several times with these awards:

     » "Roll of Distinction" in 2002

     » "Roll of Merit" in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2003 (being included on the "Roll of Merit" is a form of honorable mention)

      The Georgia Kappa Chapter was the lead host chapter of the Southeast Regional Conference of Pi Gamma Mu in March 1998 and in March 2002 and was the host chapter of the Pi Gamma Mu's triennial international convention in October 2002.

     Dr. Friedman became Pi Gamma Mu's governor for Georgia in 1995.  At the 1999 triennial international convention in Wichita, Kansas, regional chancellor Gordon E. Mercer appointed Dr. Friedman as vice chancellor of the Atlantic Region.  Dr. Friedman was elected chancellor of the region for the 2002-2005 triennial period and as first vice president for 2005-2008, and serves on the international Board of Trustees.

WHO ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE GEORGIA KAPPA CHAPTER?

Top row (L to R):  Dr. Marc J. Gilbert, Dr. Thomas W. De Berry, Bronson Long.   Middle row (L to R):  Dr. Barry D. Friedman, Dr. Carl D. Cavalli, Dr. Catherine M. Jones, Dr. K. Michael Reese, Dr. Ray C. Rensi.

* * * * *

Members of the Georgia Kappa Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu:

     Note:  ® = Retiree / Emeritus / Emerita

Administrators

     President Emeritus Sherman R. Day® (Criminal Justice)

     President Emeritus V. Nathaniel Hansford® (Law)

     Dr. T. Christopher Jespersen (History)

     President David L. Potter (Social Science)

     Vice President Linda R. Roberts-Betsch (Nursing)

     Vice President Emeritus John C. Upchurch® (Geography)

Faculty -- Full-time

     Dr. Ross C. Alexander (Political Science)

     Dr. Dlynn Armstrong-Williams (Political Science)

     Linda B. August® (Sociology, founding faculty advisor, 1994-2002)

     Dr. J. Stuart Batchelder (Criminal Justice)

     Dr. David B. Broad (Sociology)

     Dr. Kelly L. Cate (Psychology, faculty advisor)

     Dr. Carl D. Cavalli (Political Science)

     Dr. Jim G. Coone® (Psychology)

     Dr. Kathleen A. Dolan (Sociology)

     Dr. Leo C. Downing Jr. (Criminal Justice, Sociology)

     Susan T. Ferrell (Teacher Education / Social Science)

     Dr. Barry D. Friedman (Political Science, founding secretary-treasurer)

     Dr. Marc Jason Gilbert® (History)

     Dr. Clayton Grant® (Economics)

     Dr. Catherine M. Jones® (History)

     Dr. James S. Kirley (Human-Resource Management)

     Dr. Peter J. McDonald® (Psychology)

     Dr. Georgia A. Mann (History)

     Dr. James L. Martin (Community Counseling)

     Dr. David E. Morris Sr. (Accounting)

     Dr. Brian M. Murphy® (Political Science)

     Dr. James C. Parks Sr.® (Psychology)

     Dr. Brent A. Paterline (Criminal Justice)

     Dr. John F. Pearce® (Economics)

     Dr. K. Michael Reese (Criminal Justice)

     Dr. Ray C. Rensi® (History)

     Dr. Chuck L. Robertson (Psychology)

     John F. Roop (Psychology)

     Dr. Jennifer L. Smith (History)

     Dr. Stephen M. Smith (Psychology)

     Sara J. Steele® (Psychology)

     Charles H. "Trey" Wilson III (Political Science/Law [M.P.A., 2005])

Faculty -- Temporary and/or Part-Time

     Holly R. Payne (Sociology, 1999 [M.P.A., 2000])

     J. Derek Sutton (History, 2001 [M.P.A., 2003])

     Dr. Jack T. Wynn (Anthropology)

Staff

     Edward Joshua Boyd (M.P.A., 2005)

     Donna M. Caldwell (M.P.A., 1999)

     Mary Margaret Hand (Sociology, 1999 [M.P.A, 2001])

     Dr. Charles H. Hawkins Jr.

     Dr. Mac Marcantel Martin

     Mary W. Poland (History, 2005)

     Joshua I. Preston (Political Science, 2001 [M.P.A., 2004])

     Treva L. Sexton (Political Science, 1997 [M.P.A., 1999])

     Dana Moss Turner (M.P.A., 1999)

Alumni

     Suzanne L. Adamson (Social Science, 2004)

     Amanda Juliet Arnold (Criminal Justice and Psychology, 2003)

     April M. Baker (Psychology, 2002)

     Justin L. Beaulieu (Social-Science Education, 2002)

     Lisa Torres Boylan (Psychology, 2003)

     Maya Thrasher Brice (Sociology, 2003)

     Helen R. Buckelew (M.P.A., 2002)

     Lauren E. Burch (Political Science, 2004)

     Ryan J. Carter (Political Science, 2000)

     Emily A. (Byers) Cobb (Sociology, 1996)

     Sara I. Cochran (Sociology, 2001)

     Evelyn Cosby-Castro (Criminal Justice, 2001)

     Elizabeth A. "Betsy" Couser (Criminal Justice, 2007)

     Carly M. Cross (Political Science / Pre-Law, 2006)

     Lori M. Digby (Psychology, 2002)

     Cora Elizabeth "Corrie" Duvall (Political Science, 2005)

     Katie Eckler (Psychology, 2001)

     Melissa LeAnne Gaddis (Psychology, 2000)

     Amanda L. Hill (Political Science / Pre-Law, 2000)

     Elaine R. Hudson (Political Science, 2007)

     Gail L. Ingram (English, 1969)

     Julie L. Jay (Criminal Justice, 2004)

     Ellen R. Kennedy (Criminal Justice, 2007)

     Karen E. Knapp (Sociology, 1994; M.Ed., 1997)

     Jordan H. Lindeke (M.P.A., 2005)

     Amy Herrin Lykins (Criminal Justice, 1999)

     Jennifer D. McCarter (Political Science, 2001)

     Rhiannon Rosa McDowell (Psychology, 2002)

     Krista Pethel Martin (Sociology, 2000 [M.P.A., 2003])

     Donald George Morris (M.P.A., 2001)

     Bobby L. Murray (Criminal Justice, 2001 [M.P.A., 2003])

     S. Layne Peacock (M.P.A., 2000)

     Paige D. Phelps (Political Science, 2000)

     Kimberly A. Pruitt (Sociology, 2002)

     Christopher W. Robinson (Criminal Justice, 2003)

     B. Yvonne "Von" Rogers (Sociology, 2002)

     Brooke M. Rogers (Political Science and History, 2000)

     Christina R. "Christy" Salo (M.P.A., 2000)

     Ryan Curtis Sanchez (M.P.A., 2004)

     A. David Smith (M.P.A., 2002)

     Julie L. Spriggs (Criminal Justice, 2006)

     Erick C. Sutton (M.P.A., 2002)

     Kelly M. Warner (Psychology, 2001)

     Lori Jeanne White (History, 2003)

     Christie L. Williams (M.P.A., 2002)

     Angelina D. Willis (Sociology, 2001)

     Laina D. Woodard (Political Science/Pre-law, 1994)

Students

     Stephanie L. Anderson

     Sandra G. Barfield

     Carole G. Barker

     Tashina Lynn Hall

     Virginia M. "Ginny" McCollum

     Katherine R. Spencer

     Laura A. Thomas

     Amy E. Wilson

     Cynthia Hogan Zomer

Associate (Honorary) Members

     Honorable William F. Dezinno

     Dr. Cheryl Crozier Garcia

     Dr. Christina F. Jeffrey

     Dr. Robert M. Sanders

     D. Sue Watters (international executive director)

Others

     Dr. Alvin H. Buckelew

     Dr. Ferris R. Byxbe

     Dr. Noel Darin Campbell

     Dr. Catherine McNickle Chastain

     Dr. Millie Dawson-Hardy

     Dr. Thomas W. De Berry (faculty advisor, 2002-2006)

     Honorable David C. Evans

     Dr. Catherine L. Finnegan

     Dr. Mary Lou B. Frank

     Paula L. Jarrett-Coleman

     Dr. Rufus Larkin

     Dr. J. Marvin Pippert

     Dr. Lynn C. Schneider

     Dr. Gregory L. Sheets

     Dr. Jeffrey W. Sommers

     Dr. Andrea Stepnick

     Dr. James B. Wells

In Memoriam

RESOURCES

     Bylaws of the Georgia Kappa Chapter

LINKS

     Pi Gamma Mu International home page

     Pi Gamma Mu Atlantic Region home page

     NGCSU Council of Honor Societies home page

     For information about publishing in the International Social Science Review, click here.