Furman launches new chapter of religion honor society

Furman University has been selected to host a new chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology.

Furman joins more than 200 chapters nationally in four-year educational institutions ranging from small religiously affiliated colleges to large public research institutions. The honor society is dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students and in scholars in the fields of religion and theology.

Says Helen Lee Turner, Ph.D., Chair of the Furman Department of Religion, “We generally have an academically talented group of religion majors including those inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and those who graduate with highest honors. The presence of Theta Alpha Kappa serves to recognize our majors’ hard work in religious studies. Our students are very excited about this new organization.”

Theta Alpha Kappa was first established in 1976 at Manhattan College in Riverdale (the Bronx), New York for the purpose of recognizing the academic achievements of religion and theology students.

In addition to encouraging the activities of local chapters, Theta Alpha Kappa maintains a vigorous national program of scholarship awards and fellowship competitions. Its primary publication, the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, offers an annual prize and the publication of outstanding student papers.

Theta Alpha Kappa is an affiliated society of the American Academy of Religion and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.

For more information, contact Dr. Helen Lee Turner, Department of Religion, (864) 294- 3295, or helenlee.turner@furman.edu.