Honors and Honors Society

College policy for earning honors requires maintaining a GPA of 3.5 overall and a GPA of 3.5 or above in the major. Seniors that meet these GPA requirements and wish to be considered for departmental honors must submit an application for consideration by the following deadlines:

• November 1st for December graduates
• January 31st for May graduates

Students applying for honors will write a single spaced professional narrative of no more than two pages (via Google Doc) describing why their culmination of work within the department deserves honors recognition. This professional narrative should highlight:

• Evidence of excellent academic work in RHMS coursework via research or a creative project
• Evidence of extra-curricular engagement and/or leadership that contributes to RHMS (this could be demonstrated through engagement/leadership within RHMS or could be an explanation of how leadership in other organizations/opportunities was positively impacted by experience in RHMS)

Copies of all research/creative projects that are highlighted in the professional narrative should also be included in the application portfolio. Students should also include a copy of their professional resume (or Curriculum Vitae) in their application portfolio.

The above application materials are to be submitted all together via a Google folder (Name of Student—Honors Portfolio) that can be shared with the RHMS Administrative Coordinator, Sara Asberry, by the relevant deadline.

A few examples of work/service that might contribute to departmental honors distinction:

• Participation in the RHMS community
• Participation in extracurricular leadership (e.g., speech & debate, LPE, KLC radio, The Log, SAAB Rep, SAAB Tutor, film festivals, conference presentations, work study)
• Notable projects, research papers, or assignments
• Challenges overcome during time as an RHMS student
• Sustained community service
• Presenting research at an event
• Research or a project showcased at Festival of Scholars and Artists
• Outstanding RHMS capstone work
• Participation in or service as chair of an LC symposium
• Other activities related to the RHMS major

Regardless of what a student decides with respect to honors, all RHMS majors, including honors students, must still complete a capstone course (including the required final assignment and departmental presentation) as a requirement for the major.

If you are interested in pursuing honors, we encourage you to begin this process by speaking with your major advisor and/or other faculty in the department.

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Honors Society - Lambda Pi Eta - Tau Pi

Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is the National Communication Association’s official honor society at four-year colleges and universities. As an accredited member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), Lambda Pi Eta has active chapters at four-year colleges and universities worldwide. Lewis & Clark hosts the Tau Pi chapter.

About LPH

LPH represents what Aristotle described in The Rhetoric as three ingredients of persuasion: logos (Lambda), meaning logic; pathos (Pi), relating to emotion; and ethos (Eta), defined as character credibility and ethics. Lambda Pi Eta recognizes, fosters, and rewards outstanding scholastic achievement while stimulating interest in the communication discipline.

LPH Tau Pi is a group of Rhetoric & Media Studies majors working together to foster a cohesive and collaborative environment within the major, uphold the goals of Lambda Pi Eta, and put together events that celebrate the rhetorical tradition.

The Six Goals of Lambda Pi Eta:

1. Recognize, foster, and reward outstanding scholastic achievement in communication studies;
2. Stimulate interest in the field of communication;
3. Promote and encourage professional development among communication majors;
4. Provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication;
5. Establish and maintain closer relationships between faculty and students; and
6. Explore options for graduate education in communication studies.

The first group of Lambda Pi Eta Tau Pi students were inducted (in style) on February 27th, 2015.

 

Do you qualify?

To be eligible for admission, undergraduate students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete 60 semester credit-hours (90 quarter credit-hours)
2. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken
3. Complete the equivalent of 12 semester credit-hours (18 quarter credit-hours) in communication studies
4. Have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for all communication studies courses
5. Currently be enrolled as a student in good standing, as determined by the institution’s policies
6. Rank within the highest thirty-five percent of one’s class in general scholarship.