Phi Alpha Theta and the History Profession

A visiting foreign scholar asked recently about the role of our Honor Society in the history profession. First of all, one may re­spond that it recognizes outstanding achieve­ments by students and faculty. Its many contributions, however, go much beyond that in its variety of activities that involve students-both undergraduate and gradu­ate, faculty, lay writers, and others interested in history.

Its general objectives are succinctly stated in the publication, “This is Phi Alpha Theta . . . the promotion of the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the ex­ change of learning and thought among his­torians. It seeks to bring students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellec­tually and socially, and it encourages and assists, in a variety of ways, historical research and publication by its members.”

Organized in 1921, Phi Alpha Theta now has over 650 chapters in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Philippine Is­lands. One of its unique contributions in­cludes the forty to fifty regional conferences held each year in which 600 to 700 student papers are presented. Student members also have the opportunity along with faculty members to participate on the program of the biennial conventions usually held in con­ junction with the meeting of the American Historical Association. The last Biennial Convention was held in December, 1985, with headquarters at the Milford Plaza Hotel in New York City, only a block away from the AHA. Many budding young historians, as well as others who go on to leadership roles in American society, have their first experi­ence in presenting a research paper at these meetings. Faculty members also participate in program sessions arranged by Phi Alpha Theta at the annual meetings of the Ameri­can Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, the Southern His­torical Association, the Western Historical Association, the Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association, and several other regional or state historical associations.

The major publication of Phi Alpha Theta is the scholarly historical quarterly, The His­torian. It is open to all fields of history and now has the third largest circulation in the United States among historical journals. Sub­scribing members also receive two annual issues of The News Letter with details about activities and awards of the Society.

For the promotion of the study of history and the encouragement of excellence in re­search, Phi Alpha Theta sponsors several prizes and awards. Six prizes go annually for the best papers by either undergraduate or graduate students. Six scholarships are also awarded annually for graduate study in his­tory. This year for the first time the Society has added a separate fellowship for an ad­vanced doctoral student. Two years ago it also added a grant for faculty advisors with five or more years of service for the purpose of research or other activities enhancing their professional career. Two annual book awards are made to members, one for the first book of a scholar, the other for subse­quent publications. For further encourage­ment of scholarship, the Society offers a Manuscript Award that contributes to the publication costs of the winning entry.

Phi Alpha Theta has been very active in its concern for career opportunities for histori­ans. Members seeking college or university teaching positions may register with the In­ternational Office in Allentown, Pennsylva­nia. For several years the Society has also published “History: But What Do I Do With It?” a pamphlet that describes the variety of opportunities in addition to teaching that are available in areas such as government, busi­ness, communication, law, theology, and museums. Members receiving a Civil Service appointment with the Federal government have the advantage of qualifying for the beginning grade of GS-7 rather than GS-5. More recently the Society has been one of the sponsors of the impressive chart on “Careers for Graduates in History.” Copies of this publication may be obtained from the Na­tional Center for the Study of History, Inc., Germantown, Maryland 20874.

Phi Alpha Theta cooperates with other organizations in promoting projects of mutu­al interest in the profession. It has been a leading member of the Association of Col­lege Honor Societies. It also is a strong sup­porter of the National Coordinating Committee (NCC), which has been very influen­tial in getting the Congressional legislation that removed the National Archives from the General Services Administration (GSA) and made it an independent agency of the government. Currently plans are under way to provide some assistance to History Day and its effective programs in establishing much needed contacts with elementary and second­ary schools.

In the final analysis, the many activities for students provide one of Phi Alpha Theta’s most outstanding contributions. Student offi­cers along with the invaluable assistance of faculty advisors not only serve members of the Honor Society but they also often orga­nize programs open  to all interested persons in the college or  university community. Op­portunities for recognition and participation should be available to qualified students in all colleges and universities. As an undergraduate major in history, I did not have these options in the absence of a local chapter. I did serve as president of the campus honor society in Classics and traveled half-way across the country to its national convention. My educa­tional and professional goals would have been much better served by Phi Alpha Theta.

The Society fortunately continues to oper­ate with a balanced budget. In addition  to income from a small endowment, its pro­grams receive support from the initiation fees of new members, annual subscriptions to The Historian, optional dues of $10, and sus­taining memberships of $25. Contributions also come from individuals and local chap­ters for the Hoffman Endowment Fund for awards to an advanced doctoral student, a faculty advisor, and the plan for visiting lecturers for local chapters. Inquiries about any of these programs, the formation of new chapters, individual memberships, or other matters of interest should be addressed to Dr. Donald B. Hoffman, Secretary-Treasur­er,  Phi  Alpha  Theta,  2333  Liberty Street, Allentown, PA 18104.