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College of Arts and Sciences

Eta Sigma Phi, Theta Delta Chapter

About

Eta Sigma Phi is the national honorary collegiate society for students of Latin and/or Greek. Members are elected by local chapters that have been chartered by the society. The purposes of the Society, in the words of the Constitution, are "to develop and promote interest in classical study among the students of colleges and universities; to promote closer fraternal relationship among students who are interested in classical study, including inter-campus relationship; to engage generally in an effort to stimulate interest in classical study, and in the history, art, and literature of ancient Greece and Rome."

History

Eta Sigma Phi had its beginning in 1914 when a group of students in the Department of Greek at the University of Chicago organized an undergraduate classical club to which honor students in Greek and Latin were elected to membership. This organization later united with a similar organization at Northwestern University and became Eta Sigma Phi. In 1924 the society became national, and chapters were organized at leading colleges and universities.

National Organization

At the national level, Eta Sigma Phi sponsors scholarships for study abroad during the summer, contests in Greek translation, Latin translation, Latin prose composition, and a national convention. Members receive Nuntius, the official publication of Eta Sigma Phi, twice each year. For more information on the national organization, visit www.etasigmaphi.org.

SHU Theta Delta Chapter

Active membership is limited to undergraduates who are enrolled in classes in Latin and/or Greek in the original languages. A student must meet the basic qualifications of (1) completion of at least one semester and (2) no less than a “B” grade in Latin and Greek courses. You do not have to be a Classics major. Students interested in joining should contact Professor Charles George at [email protected] or (973) 275-2124. Initiation is toward the end of spring semester.