Welcome to the Home Page of the
North Georgia College & State University Chapter
of
The National Honor Society for First-Year Students
Phi Eta Sigma is the oldest and largest freshman honor society. Phi Eta Sigma has more than 350 chapters throughout the United States. More than 900,000 members have been inducted since its creation.
Phi Eta Sigma was founded by three distinguished Phi Beta Kappa members, professors, and administrators at the University of Illinois on March 22, 1923, to encourage and recognize high scholastic achievement among members of the freshman classes. Phi Eta Sigma is the third most senior member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
The North Georgia College Chapter was founded on May 23, 1989 by Dr. Clayton Grant.
A freshman who has a grade-point average of 3.5, and a class rank in the top 20 percent of the freshman class after completing one full fall semester at NGCSU is eligible for membership in Phi Eta Sigma.
Each initiate receives lifetime membership, a membership certificate, and a golden key of membership.
The Founders Scholarship Fund provides national endowed scholarships of $5,000 (full-time graduate students), $3,000 (full-time undergraduate students) and $1,000 (undergraduate students). In addition, the $10,000 Thomas Arkle Clark Scholar-Leader of the Year Endowed Scholarship is also awarded annually.
The NGCSU chapter presents the annual Student-Leader Award to a Phi Eta Sigma member in his or her junior or senior year. The award carries a cash prize.
In the spring semester, the NGCSU chapter sends invitation letters to freshmen who meet the requirements for membership. We hold an initiation ceremony on the afternoon of the University's Honors Day in April. That evening, members who would like to celebrate with students entering NGCSU's 20 other honor societies are invited to attend the Honor Societies' Initiation Banquet. All honor-society initiates are recognized at that event. If you believe that you have qualified for membership, contact me for more information.