Matt Greene, a University senior, wanted to start a history honor society on campus, until he found out one already existed.
As a history and political science major, Greene approached the national Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society about creating a University of Oregon chapter last year. He was told one already existed, although it had been inactive since 1996, he said.
The Phi Alpha Theta society is active at nine other Oregon universities, with 839 college chapters across the country, totaling more than 281,000 initiated members since the society’s inception in 1921 at the University of Arkansas, according to the organization’s Web site.
The non-profit organization brings students, faculty and history writers together to study, discuss and promote historical research, according to the society’s Web site.
“It’s something more than just doing it for a grade,” Greene said about his interest in founding the group.
Greene said when he made announcements in his history classes about the group’s first meeting, which was held last week, his professors commented about being members of the society when they were undergraduates.
History professor Alexander Dracobly signed on as the faculty adviser after being approached by Greene.
The group is “for undergraduates who are interested in history more than the average history major,” said Dracobly, who wants the students to largely control the group.
During the winter and remaining weeks of the fall term, Dracobly said he wants to introduce guest speakers into the meetings and take students on a field trip to a historical site in Oregon, in addition to discussing historical readings and movies.
The group isn’t limited to history majors, Greene said. Undergraduate members must complete at least four history courses “with a GPA of at least 3.1 in History, have a GPA of 3.0 or better overall and be in the top 35 percent of the class,” according to the organization’s Web site.
Greene said even non-members are invited to attend the meetings.
“Everything is history; as soon as you print this it’s history,” Greene said, explaining how fundamental the study and recognition of history is, although it’s something people often overlook.
Around 30 students attended the first meeting last week, something Greene said he was surprised and excited about, although he hopes the Oregon chapter will continue to grow.
At first discussions will be broadly focused until the students achieve a consensus on what topics they want to consider, Greene said.
During the society’s next meeting, which will be held on Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in 240A McKenzie Hall, the group plans to elect officials and to discuss why studying history is important.
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UO student reinstates history honor society
Daily Emerald
October 18, 2006
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