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Classical Studies > Eta Sigma Phi

Eta Sigma Phi

Department of Classical Studies

Eta Sigma Phi
Alpha Phi Chapter - Millsaps College
Founded 1935

Eta Sigma Phi is a national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. The Alpha Phi chapter at Millsaps College recognizes students for their academic excellence and achievement within the Classical Studies. Alpha Phi is one of 182 chapters of Eta Sigma Phi throughout the United States.

Purpose of Eta Sigma Phi
The Constitution of Eta Sigma Phi states that the purposes of the society are "to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome."

Membership
Eligibility for Active Membership
Eta Sigma Phi taps students at the fall and spring Tap Day ceremonies. To qualify for active membership, one must meet all of the following requirements:

• Enrolled in at least the third Classics course
• Two of the three classes must be Classical language courses
• GPA of 3.4 in Classics courses 
• GPA of 3.2 overall    
  OR
• Enrolled in at least a fourth Classics course
• GPA of 3.2 in Classics courses
• GPA of 3.2 overall

If you are eligible, contact Dr. Sypniewski to be included in the next group of inductees.

Congratulations to our Fall 2011 Initiates!
Pictured in their garlands at Tap Day are Victor Leuck, Ramandeep Kaur, Kirsten Clark, Nick Cortese (not pictured Laura Gray and Catherine Ann Wilkes)

Benefits of Active Membership
Becoming an active member of Eta Sigma Phi has a number of benefits including:

• Scholarships for summer travel to Rome, Athens, or southern Italy
  NEWS!   Philip Cortese (B.A. Classical Studies 2009) has just been awarded one of the Eta Sigma Phi summer scholarships.  The Theodore Bedrick Summer Scholarship for Travel to the Vergilian Society will enable Philip to study Virgil and Caesar at the Villa Vergiliana at Cumae in summer 2012.
• Scholarships for archaeological fieldwork
• Scholarships for Latin teacher training
• Opportunity for  academic presentations before peers and scholars
• Membership card and certificate Honors cords and sashes for graduation regalia
• Bronze and silver medals of achievement
• Annual national convention including a certamen and banquet

Honorary Membership
In addition to active membership, the Alpha Phi chapter bestows honorary membership status upon students who have completed their language requirement in Greek or Latin at Millsaps College. These honorary memberships are awarded by the chapter and therefore no application process or inquiry is required. The chapter may also nominate faculty and other honorees on a case by case basis.

Initiation and Reception
In the weeks directly following the fall and spring Tap Day ceremonies, an initiation will be held for new inductees. A certificate, pin, and membership card are included in the $40 initiation fee for active membership and will be presented following the initiation ceremony. Honorary members may request certificates of membership for $10, though pins and membership cards are only available for active members.

Eta Sigma Phi Officers 2011-2012

• Prytanis (President) - Catherine Ann Wilks
• Hyparchos (Vice-President) - Ramandeep Kaur
• Grammateus (Recording Secretary)  - Kirsten Clark 
• Chrysophylax (Treasurer) - Nick Cortese

Eta Sigma Phi Inductees 2008-2012
2012 - Spring
Joel Mabry
Genevieve Santos

2011 - Fall
Kirsten Clark
Nicholas Cortese
Laura Gray
Ramandeep Kaur
Victor Leuck
Catherine Ann Wilks

2011 - Spring
Joseph Muller

2010 
Morgan Jones
Andrew Roach
Kailey Rocker
Victoria Romano 

2009 
Sam Hill
Andrew McPherson
Victoria Shepherd
Rachel Warren
  
2008 
Brandi Buckler
Andrew Carlson
Philip Cortese
Megan Maher 
Edgar Meyer
Hanna Olivier
Joseph Quillin
Catherine Scott 
Catherine Smith