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Delta Tau Alpha () is an American scholastic
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 the field of
agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
. It was established at
Southwest Missouri State College Missouri State University (MSU or MO State), formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second-largest u ...
in 1960.


History

The Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha was founded at
Southwest Missouri State College Missouri State University (MSU or MO State), formerly Southwest Missouri State University, is a public university in Springfield, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1905 as the Fourth District Normal School, it is the state's second-largest u ...
on March 19, 1960. Its purpose is the promote and recognize leadership and scholarship of agricultural students. It also promotes character development and helps prepare undergraduate students for a career in agriculture. The society held its first national convention in March 1960. Its emblem was adopted at that convention. Delta Tau Alpha was admitted to the
Association of College Honor Societies The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a voluntary association of national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. It was established on December 30, 1925 by six organizations: Alpha Omega Alpha, the Order of the Coif, Phi B ...
in 1992. The society has 31 active chapters across the United States and a total membership of approximately 16,000.


Symbols

Delta Tau Alpha's colors are green and harvest gold. Green represents "the fresh, new ideas that members bring into agriculture, just as a new crop springs to life each year"; harvest yellow was selected to represent "reaping the benefits of technology through the application of knowledge in the same way a farmer harvests his golden crop of grain" Its flower is the
chrysanthemum Chrysanthemums ( ), sometimes called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants in the Asteraceae family. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Most species originate from East Asia, and the center of diversity is in China. Co ...
. Its symbols are corn, wheat, and a scroll. Corn and wheat represent hard work, experimentation, and products of applied education. The scroll symbolizes the society's founding ideals of "scholarship, character, responsibility, leadership, and lifelong commitment". The society's emblem features a scroll. On top of the scroll is a Greek letter Delta () formed by wheat on the upper two sides and an ear of corn on the bottom. The Greek letter Delta signifies change because agricultural professionals continually adapt to changing environments and resources. In the center of the letter Delta is the fraternity's Greek letters, , stacked on top of each other. Delta Tau Alpha's publication is ''The Achiever''.


Activities

The society has an annual convention each spring that rotates between member campuses. It presents awards for the best chapter, outstanding teacher-advisor, and the winner of an agricultural knowledge contest. Chapters award scholarships and participate in community service activities, including canned food drives for local food banks, educating children about livestock, and donating to The Angel Tree Project.


Membership

To be eligible for membership in Delta Tau Alpha, a student must have completed at least nine semester hours in agricultural courses and 45 hours in college courses, with a rank in the top 35 percent of their class. Members are initiated at a ceremony and reception/banquet. Membership is for life.


Chapters

Following is a list of Delta Tau Alpha chapters.


See also

*
Association of College Honor Societies The Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) is a voluntary association of national collegiate and post-graduate honor societies. It was established on December 30, 1925 by six organizations: Alpha Omega Alpha, the Order of the Coif, Phi B ...
*
Honor cords An honor cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements, awards, or honors. Usually, cords come in pairs with a knot in the mid ...


References


External links

* {{authority control Association of College Honor Societies Honor societies Student organizations established in 1960 1960 establishments in Missouri