Shared Documents - HonorSocieties

Honor Societies

ALPHA UPSILON ALPHA

Graduate Reading and Language Arts Honor Society

The Beta Mu Chapter of Alpha Upsilon Alpha was established at Worcester State University in 2007. It is one of only three honor societies for graduate students in the state of Massachusetts and the only graduate honor society at WSU. In keeping with AUA honor society’s motto, “Scholarship, Service and Leadership,” the Chapter has sponsored two service projects, not (including) providing children’s literature and tradebooks for a Worcester Elementary School’s afterschool reading program and Childlife Children’s Medical Center at UMass Medical. The society also works to mentor undergraduates preparing to take the Reading MTEL teacher tests. The annual initiation, Book Clubs, Service Projects and annual meetings are some of the highlights of this society.

KAPPA DELTA PI INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The Gamma Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi was founded in March 1935, on the campus of Worcester State University. Worcester State College was the first state college in Massachusetts to found a chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Kappa Delta Pi is the oldest honor society on the Worcester State University campus. Education majors or minors who are juniors or seniors, who possess a grade point average of 3.5, and who stand in the top 10% of their class are eligible to become members of the honor society. Kappa Delta Pi members are involved in various types of community service work throughout the year and hold an initiation banquet annually.

Phi Delta Kappa, Central Massachusetts Chapter

Education alumni and graduate students are invited to become members of Phi Delta Kappa (PDK), an international member-based education association that serves all levels of educators and the education community. The mission of PDK is to promote high-quality education, in particular publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. PDK members accomplish this mission through service, leadership, and research. Locally, PDK provides education professionals with the opportunity to network with area education leaders, participate in activities promoting quality education, and grow professionally. To find out how to join PDK contact Pat Delano, Vice President of Membership at delanop@worc.k12.ma.us.

Honor Societies and Student Organizations

The Education Department sponsors a chapter of the Student Education Association of Massachusetts (SEAM). Students who join SEAM become members of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest professional organization for educators in the nation. SEAM members receive benefits from the NEA and the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), a member-driven organization that supports teachers’ professional advancement and economic interests. These benefits include liability insurance coverage for pre-service teachers, reduced rates for travel and admission to museums, historic sites, and other venues, and discounts on concert tickets and sporting events, health club memberships, book and computer purchases and more.

The SEAM Worcester State University (WSU) Chapter provides its members with opportunities for professional advancement such as the annual Future Teachers’ Conference, and regional and national conferences. Student–run chapter social and fundraising events include the Dictionary Drive to provide dictionaries for children in the Worcester Public Schools. Community service projects include Read Across America and Outreach to Teach: School Makeover.

To join the SEAM WSU Chapter, go to www.nea.org to join, or contact the Program Advisor, Martha Scheffer, at Martha.Scheffer@worcester.edu.

Student Organization