Alpha Sigma Lambda () is an American

honor society In the United States, an honor society is an organization that recognizes individuals who rank above a set standard in various domains such as academics, leadership, and other personal achievements, not all of which are based on ranking systems. ...

for non-traditional students in colleges and universities. It was established at

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

in 1946.

History

Dr. Rollin Posey established Alpha Sigma Lamba at

in 1942, to recognize the accomplishments of those returning to academic pursuits after the close of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Its purpose, he wrote, "is to bind together in one Society the excellent students within the University College to provide a stimulus for and recognition of their worthy efforts." The honor society supports nontraditional students who are trying to obtain their first associate or baccalaureate degree. Alpha Sigma Lambda became a member of the Association of College Honor Socieities in 2011. In 2011, it had chartered 325 chapters. As of 2024, Alpha Sigma Lambda has 233 active chapters. Its headquarters are at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

Symbols

The Greek letters of the society's name were selected to represent Alpha for First, Sigma for Scholarship, and Lambda for Leadership. The motto of Alpha Sigma Lambda is "First in Scholarship and Leadership". The society's crest displays the Greek letters and its symbols, the book, the lamp, and the torch. The book represents a love of knowledge, the lamp symbolizes wisdom, and the torch stands for life. Its colors are burgundy and gold. Burgundy represents action, power, and the confidence to follow your dreams. Gold symbolizes good health, optimism, prosperity, success, wisdom, Its publication is the ''Midnight Oil Newsletter''.

Activities

Annually, Alpha Sigma Lamba awards its Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning Scholarships.

Membership

Member is open to non-traditional students, typically adults also engaged in professional careers, who achieve and maintain outstanding scholastic and leadership characteristics while trying to obtain their first associate or baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university. Potential members must have completed 24 credit hours with a 3.2 GPA.

Chapters

In 2011, Alpha Sigma Lambda had chartered chapters. As of 2024, Alpha Sigma Lambda has 233 active chapters.

Notable alumni

* Ryan Bank, award-winning television producer, new media expert and President of Clayton Entertainment * Richard Paul Conaboy, chair of the US Sentencing Commission and chief judge of the US District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania * Bob Dixon (Alpha Xi), Missouri House of Representatives and Missouri State Senate * John Robert Greene, professor and director of the History Program at Cazenovia College * Jerome Krase, professor

emeritus ''Emeritus/Emerita'' () is an honorary title granted to someone who retires from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus". In some c ...

and archivist at

Brooklyn College Brooklyn College is a public university in Brooklyn in New York City, United States. It is part of the City University of New York system and enrolls nearly 14,000 students on a campus in the Midwood and Flatbush sections of Brooklyn as of fall ...

* Kristina Sisco, writer and actress

References

External links

* {{authority control Association of College Honor Societies Honor societies Student organizations established in 1946 1946 establishments in Illinois