At UAlbany honors abound

	2004 OΔΚ Inductees. Click for larger image.

UAlbany�s honor societies contribute to the development of a campus environment that celebrates learning and helps to attract and retain academically strong students. The University has attracted growing numbers of academically talented students in recent years. This year�s freshman class boasted an average high school GPA of 91.2 and 22% were in the top ten percent of their high school senior class.

Last year UAlbany became the 289th institution to be awarded a charter in Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor society founded in 1914 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. UAlbany�s chapter joins some of the nation�s premier colleges and universities, including the University of Southern California, Purdue, Auburn, Vanderbilt and the University of Maryland.

Forty-four new members were inducted into OΔΚ this fall--12 faculty and staff and 32 student leaders. Membership may include juniors, seniors and graduate students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community leaders. Student initiates must be in the top 35 percent of their class, and must have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to campus and community activities.

�Through OΔΚ students, faculty and staff who exhibit extraordinary leadership in our community each and every day will be appropriately recognized for their efforts,� said Vice President for Student Affairs James P. Doellefeld.

OΔΚ joins the company of a number of esteemed campus honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa. Each semester outstanding students in the liberal arts are invited to join Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the nation. Albany's chapter, Alpha Alpha of New York, was established in 1973 and is one of only 200 chapters at academic institutions throughout the country.

Eligibility for Phi Beta Kappa requires students to have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.85 by junior year and 3.75 by senior year, with a balanced distribution of courses including math, science, foreign language and a representation in each of the Humanities and Arts, Social Science, and Math and Science. In the last three years UAlbany has inducted more than 130 new members to its chapter.

For more information on honors opportunities at UAlbany visit,  www.albany.edu/presidential_scholars/presidentialscholars/honorsopportunities.htm