Honor Societies

a student holds a Phi Beta Kappa certificate while a professor looks on

Rhodes proudly supports outstanding academic achievement through these prestigious academic honor societies and annual academic awards ceremony each spring.

Eta Sigma Phi

  • National classic languages fraternity promoting interest in all aspects of Greek and Roman literature, art, and life
  • Eligibility: at least a B average in advanced courses in either Greek or Latin
  • Established: 1952

Iota Iota Iota

  • National honor society that recognizes academic excellence in the field of Gender and Sexuality Studies while striving to maintain the feminist values central to Gender and Sexuality Studies: egalitarianism, inclusiveness, and a celebration of the diversity of women′s experiences. Iota Iota Iota works to promote an interest in Gender and Sexuality Studies and research in social problems affecting all women.
  • Eligibility: six hours in Gender and Sexuality Studies courses with a 3.0 average or above
  • Chi Chapter chartered: 2004. First induction of 19 charter members, April 29, 2004.

Mortar Board

  • National honor society for seniors recognizing eminence in scholarship, leadership, and service
  • Rhodes chapter established: 1964
  • Downloadable nomination form (pdf)

National Order of Omega

  • Recognizes outstanding members of fraternities and sororities on the basis of scholarship and leadership
  • Eligibility: rising juniors and seniors members with GPA equal to or above the all-Greek average
  • Theta Nu chapter chartered: 1987

Omicron Delta Epsilon

  • International Economics Honor Society recognizing scholastic excellence in economics and establishing closer ties between students and faculty within and between participating colleges
  • Eligibility: juniors and seniors making economics one of their major interests, at least 12 hours of coursework in economics, at least a 3.50 average in all economics courses, and in the top third of their class
  • Rhodes chapter (Theta Chapter of Tennessee) established: 1979

Omicron Delta Kappa

  • National organization recognizing junior and senior leadership in activities for the good of the college - such as scholarship, athletics, and publications
  • Eligibility: No more than 3% of the student body may be elected to membership
  • Phi Circle established: 1927

Phi Alpha Theta

  • International honor society in History promoting the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and thought among historians; bringing students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially; and encouraging and assisting historical research and publication by its members
  • Rhodes chapter established: 1990
  • Eligibility: Students who have completed the required number of history hours while maintaining high standards in all of their academic studies

Phi Beta Kappa

  • For nearly 250 years, election (by the current local chapter membership) to Phi Beta Kappa has recognized exceptional academic achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.
  • Rhodes is one of only 293 colleges and universities in the nation to be awarded a chapter of this prestigious honor society.
  • Rhodes Chapter (Gamma Chapter of Tennessee) established: 1949 

Pi Kappa Lambda

  • Honorary academic music fraternity recognizing outstanding achievement in music
  • Eligibility: Only up to 20% of seniors majoring in music may be elected
  • Established: 1949

Psi Chi

  • National honorary society in Psychology affiliated with the American Psychological Association and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies; encourages excellence in scholarship and advances the science of Psychology as a profession
  • Eligibility: Psychology majors by invitation
  • Rhodes chapter reactivated: 1987

Pi Sigma Alpha

  • National honor society that stimulates scholarship and intelligent interest in political science.
  • The Rhodes chapter hosts on-campus debates and panels about politics.
  • The national Pi Sigma Alpha organization sponsors programs and events of value to the profession and teaching of political science.

Sigma Iota Rho

  • National honor society in International Studies recognizing academic excellence and promoting study of contemporary international issues
  • Eligibility: sophomores or greater with a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a 3.3 GPA within their major
  • Rhodes chapter (Theta Chapter) established: 1986

Sigma Pi Sigma

  • National physics honor society
  • Eligibility: physics students and a limited number from closely related fields when such students attain high standards of scholarship, professional merit, and academic distinction
  • Rhodes chapter established: 1963

Sigma Tau Delta

  • National English honor society promoting and recognizing outstanding achievement in the study of literature
  • Rhodes chapter established: 1984

Kappa Alpha Omicron

  • National honor society of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Association, honoring academic excellence in the studies of environmental science or environmental studies.
  • Rho Chapter at Rhodes College was established in 2021