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| image_size = 180px
| image_size = 180px
| colors = {{color box|#7E007E}} [[Shades of purple#Purple|Purple]] and {{color box|#FFFFFF}} [[White]]
| colors = {{color box|#7E007E}} [[Shades of purple#Purple|Purple]] and {{color box|#FFFFFF}} [[White]]
| birthplace = [[Allegheny College]] in [[Meadville, Pennsylvania|Meadville, PA]]
| birthplace = [[Allegheny College]]
| founded = {{start date and age|1922}}
| founded = {{start date and age|1922}}
| status = Active
| status = Active
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| publication = ''The Forum''
| publication = ''The Forum''
| symbol = [[Chaplet (headgear)|Chaplet of ivy]], [[Five-pointed star]]
| symbol = [[Chaplet (headgear)|Chaplet of ivy]], [[Five-pointed star]]
| address = 520 North Main St., Box 30
| address = 520 North Main Street, Box 30
| city = [[Meadville, Pennsylvania|Meadville]]
| city = [[Meadville, Pennsylvania|Meadville]]
| state =[[Pennsylvania|PA]]
| state =[[Pennsylvania]]
| ZIP code = 16335-3902
| ZIP code = 16335-3902
| country = USA
| country = United States
| homepage = {{official website|https://phisigmaiota.org/}}
| homepage = {{official website|https://phisigmaiota.org/}}
}}
}}


'''Phi Sigma Iota''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΦΣΙ}}''') is an international [[honor society]] for students of modern and classical [[foreign language]]s and literatures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 2010 |title=GOOD NEWS!-BU student inducted into Phi Sigma Iota |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/346163572/fulltext/BDD170DAFF204DE0PQ/3 |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=Press & Sun Bulletin |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 1987 |title=LANGUAGE GROUP STARTS CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY FYI |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/392161644/BDD170DAFF204DE0PQ/15 |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=The Morning Call |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> The primary objectives of this honorary are the recognition of ability and attainments in languages and literatures, and the promotion of a sentiment of amity between cultures with differing languages.
'''Phi Sigma Iota''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΦΣΙ}}''') is an international [[honor society]] for students of modern and classical [[foreign language]]s and literatures.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 May 2010 |title=GOOD NEWS!-BU student inducted into Phi Sigma Iota |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/346163572/fulltext/BDD170DAFF204DE0PQ/3 |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=Press & Sun-Bulletin |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 1987 |title=LANGUAGE GROUP STARTS CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY FYI |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/392161644/BDD170DAFF204DE0PQ/15 |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=The Morning Call |via=[[ProQuest]]}}</ref> The primary objectives of this honorary are the recognition of ability and attainments in languages and literature, and the promotion of a sentiment of amity between cultures with differing languages.


The society has been a member of the [[Association of College Honor Societies]], and awards scholarships to undergraduates and grants to graduate students.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1955 |title=Notes and News |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/321050 |journal=The Modern Language Journal |volume=39 |issue=7 |pages=378–381 |jstor=321050}}</ref>
The society has been a member of the [[Association of College Honor Societies]], and awards scholarships to undergraduates and grants to graduate students.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1955 |title=Notes and News |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/321050 |journal=The Modern Language Journal |volume=39 |issue=7 |pages=378–381 |jstor=321050}}</ref>
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==Mission statement==
==Mission statement==


The mission of the Society is: the recognition of outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of a foreign language; an appreciation for diverse points of view, derived from the knowledge and use of a foreign language; the encouragement of a lifelong commitment to the study and promotion of foreign languages and cultures, and; the pursuit of research in foreign languages and cultures.
The mission of the Society is the recognition of outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of a foreign language; an appreciation for diverse points of view, derived from the knowledge and use of a foreign language; the encouragement of a lifelong commitment to the study and promotion of foreign languages and cultures, and; the pursuit of research in foreign languages and cultures.


==Eligibility, requirements, and membership==
==Eligibility, requirements, and membership==


Phi Sigma Iota honors [[undergraduate]] students who have chosen to pursue a curriculum with emphasis in foreign languages (a major or a minor), who have at least a B (3.0 [[GPA]]) average in their college course of study as well as in all courses in foreign languages, who rank in the top 35% of their class, and who have completed at least one course in a foreign language at the third-year level or beyond.
Phi Sigma Iota honors [[undergraduate]] students who have chosen to pursue a curriculum with an emphasis in foreign languages (a major or a minor), who have at least a B (3.0 [[GPA]]) average in their college course of study as well as in all courses in foreign languages, who rank in the top 35% of their class, and who have completed at least one course in a foreign language at the third-year level or beyond.


As a rule, undergraduates are not elected to PSI prior to junior standing; however, sophomores of exceptional abilities who meet all stated minimal requirements, having completed at least 45 semester hours may be elected to membership. Graduate students studying one or more languages may also be elected to membership after 12 semester hours of graduate residence, provided that they shall have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in graduate studies.
As a rule, undergraduates are not elected to PSI before junior standing; however, sophomores of exceptional abilities who meet all stated minimal requirements, having completed at least 45 semester hours may be elected to membership. Graduate students studying one or more languages may also be elected to membership after 12 semester hours of graduate residence, provided they have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in graduate studies.


Professional Members. Alumni of collegiate chapters shall be professional members. Others meeting the following criteria may be elected to professional membership: have made a distinctive contribution to the profession and (a) earned one or more degrees in foreign language and ranked within the top 35% of the class as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students and not been previously initiated into the Society, (b) earned one or more degrees qualifying them to work in the field and rank in the top 35% as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students, or (c) faculty of the university, after one academic year of teaching in that institution and having shown remarkable ability in their field as well as demonstrating support of the ideals of the Society .
Professional Members. Alumni of collegiate chapters shall be professional members. Others meeting the following criteria may be elected to professional membership: have made a distinctive contribution to the profession and (a) earned one or more degrees in foreign language and ranked within the top 35% of the class as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students and not been previously initiated into the Society, (b) earned one or more degrees qualifying them to work in the field and rank in the top 35% as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students, or (c) faculty of the university, after one academic year of teaching in that institution and having shown remarkable ability in their field as well as demonstrating support of the ideals of the society.


Honorary members shall be persons outside the field, excluding those who are employed in the field, who have made distinctive scholarly and research contributions to the study, use, or promotion of foreign languages and the ideals of the Society..
Honorary members shall be persons outside the field, excluding those employed in the field, who have made distinctive scholarly and research contributions to the study, use, or promotion of foreign languages and the ideals of the Society.


Membership in the Society is open to qualified candidates including persons with disability, without regard to age, color, gender, national origin, race, religion, and/or sexual orientation.
Membership in the Society is open to qualified candidates including persons with disability, regardless of age, color, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.


==Phi Sigma Iota pledge==
==Phi Sigma Iota pledge==
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==History==
==History==


Phi Sigma Iota was founded in 1922 at [[Allegheny College]] by Dr. Henry W. Church, members of his department of languages, and advanced students who were meeting to discuss linguistic and literary matters. {{lang|grc|ΦΣΙ}} became a national society when its ''Beta chapter'' was established at [[The Pennsylvania State University]] in April 1925. Less than a year later, a ''Gamma chapter'' at the [[College of Wooster]] followed them. With these three chapters as the nucleus of the national organization, the first convention was held in May 1926, at [[Allegheny College]]. Since that time expansion has been steady.
Phi Sigma Iota was founded in 1922 at [[Allegheny College]] by Dr. Henry W. Church, members of his department of languages, and advanced students who were meeting to discuss linguistic and literary matters. {{lang|grc|ΦΣΙ}} became a national society when its ''Beta chapter'' was established at [[The Pennsylvania State University]] in April 1925. Less than a year later, a ''Gamma chapter'' at the [[College of Wooster]] followed them. With these three chapters as the nucleus of the national organization, the first convention was held in May 1926, at [[Allegheny College]]. Since that time expansion has been steady.


In November 1935, Phi Sigma Iota was merged with Alpha Zeta Pi, a similar society west of the Mississippi. The merger took place at a National Convention held at [[Bloomington, Illinois]]. Dr. Etienne Renaud and his associates in the Department of Languages had organized Alpha Zeta Pi in October 1917 at the [[University of Denver]].
In November 1935, Phi Sigma Iota was merged with Alpha Zeta Pi, a similar society west of the Mississippi, at a National Convention held at [[Bloomington, Illinois]]. Dr. Etienne Renaud and his associates in the Department of Languages organized Alpha Zeta Pi in October 1917 at the [[University of Denver]].


In 1949, Phi Sigma Iota was granted membership into the U. S. [[Association of College Honor Societies]] (ACHS), the first language society to receive that honor.
In 1949, Phi Sigma Iota was granted membership into the U. S. [[Association of College Honor Societies]] (ACHS), the first language society to receive that honor.
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In 1982, the Society became the International Foreign Language Honor Society by installing its first Chapter in a foreign country ([[Universidad Regiomontana]], [[Monterrey, Mexico]]).
In 1982, the Society became the International Foreign Language Honor Society by installing its first Chapter in a foreign country ([[Universidad Regiomontana]], [[Monterrey, Mexico]]).


Every year Phi Sigma Iota awards several scholastic grants to its members. The first scholarship was established in 1939 in memory of the founder and first National President, Dr. Church. In 1970, another scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Anthony S. Corbiere, who for nearly thirty years was National Historian, Editor of the Newsletter, and Executive Secretary of Phi Sigma Iota. In 2000, two additional named scholarships were inaugurated. One to honor Dr. Cleon Capsus, professor of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] at the [[University of South Florida]] and one to honor the years of devoted work on behalf of PSI by Dr. Santiago Vilas. The Dr. Marie-France Hilgar Scholarship was established to honor former President Dr. Hilgar.
Every year Phi Sigma Iota awards several scholastic grants to its members. The first scholarship was established in 1939 in memory of the founder and first National President, Dr. Church. In 1970, another scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Anthony S. Corbiere, who was the national historian, newsletter editor, and executive secretary of Phi Sigma Iota for nearly thirty years. In 2000, two additional named scholarships were inaugurated. One to honor Dr. Cleon Capsus, professor of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] at the [[University of South Florida]] and one to honor the years of devoted work on behalf of PSI by Dr. Santiago Vilas. The Dr. Marie-France Hilgar Scholarship was established to honor former President Dr. Hilgar.


==Insignia and etymology==
==Insignia and etymology==
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The insignia of the society, adopted in 1935, was designed by Robert E. Dengler, 1893–1973, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University. The words PHI, SIGMA, and IOTA may be understood, respectively, as Φιλοτης (or Philotès, meaning Friendship), Σπουδη (or Spoudé, meaning Research and also Individuality), and Ιδιωμα (or Idioma, meaning Zeal).
The insignia of the society, adopted in 1935, was designed by Robert E. Dengler, 1893–1973, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University. The words PHI, SIGMA, and IOTA may be understood, respectively, as Φιλοτης (or Philotès, meaning Friendship), Σπουδη (or Spoudé, meaning Research and also Individuality), and Ιδιωμα (or Idioma, meaning Zeal).


The key of the society is dominated by a five-pointed star. The center of this star represents the literary languages of classical antiquity: [[Ancient Greek language|Greek]], [[Latin]], [[Sanskrit]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]. These tongues live on today in spirit, furnishing the foundation for many modern languages and transmitting to the western world the basis of much of its culture. Originally a [[Romance language]] society, Latin, the foundation of our modern Romance languages, formed the foundation of the insignia and was symbolized by the ivy wreath which surrounds the star on the Phi Sigma Iota key. The key was designed in 1935 by Robert E. Dengler, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University, and since 1935 was the bimillenniaum of Horace's birth, Dr. Dengler put an ivy wreath in the design to recall the words of [[Horace]], the Roman poet of the height of Augustian literature who wrote: "As for me, I want the ivy, the crown of learned brows, that unites me with the gods above..." The five-point star originally stood for the Romance languages but now are symbolic of the many rays of learning which emanate from all linguistic and literary traditions. The shield of Phi Sigma Iota comprises designs meant to recall various language and literary traditions represented by the Society. Today the Society represents not only the Romance languages, but all languages.
The society's key is dominated by a five-pointed star. The center of this star represents the literary languages of classical antiquity: [[Ancient Greek language|Greek]], [[Latin]], [[Sanskrit]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]. These tongues live on today in spirit, furnishing the foundation for many modern languages and transmitting to the Western world the basis of much of its culture. Originally a [[Romance language]] society, Latin, the foundation of our modern Romance languages, formed the foundation of the insignia and was symbolized by the ivy wreath that surrounds the star on the Phi Sigma Iota key. The key was designed in 1935 by Robert E. Dengler, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University; since 1935 was the bimillennium of Horace's birth, Dr. Dengler put an ivy wreath in the design to recall the words of [[Horace]], the Roman poet of the height of Augustan literature who wrote: "As for me, I want the ivy, the crown of learned brows, that unites me with the gods above..." The five-point star originally stood for the Romance languages but now is symbolic of the many rays of learning that emanate from all linguistic and literary traditions. The shield of Phi Sigma Iota comprises designs meant to recall various language and literary traditions represented by the Society. Today the Society represents not only the Romance languages but all languages.


The colors of the Society are purple and white.
The colors of the Society are purple and white.

Revision as of 05:22, 22 June 2024

Phi Sigma Iota
ΦΣΙ
Founded1922; 102 years ago (1922)
Allegheny College
TypeHonor
AffiliationACHS
StatusActive
EmphasisForeign languages and literatures
ScopeInternational
Colors  Purple and   White
SymbolChaplet of ivy, Five-pointed star
PublicationThe Forum
Chapters180
Headquarters520 North Main Street, Box 30
Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335-3902
United States
WebsiteOfficial website

Phi Sigma Iota (ΦΣΙ) is an international honor society for students of modern and classical foreign languages and literatures.[1][2] The primary objectives of this honorary are the recognition of ability and attainments in languages and literature, and the promotion of a sentiment of amity between cultures with differing languages.

The society has been a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, and awards scholarships to undergraduates and grants to graduate students.[3]

Mission statement

The mission of the Society is the recognition of outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of a foreign language; an appreciation for diverse points of view, derived from the knowledge and use of a foreign language; the encouragement of a lifelong commitment to the study and promotion of foreign languages and cultures, and; the pursuit of research in foreign languages and cultures.

Eligibility, requirements, and membership

Phi Sigma Iota honors undergraduate students who have chosen to pursue a curriculum with an emphasis in foreign languages (a major or a minor), who have at least a B (3.0 GPA) average in their college course of study as well as in all courses in foreign languages, who rank in the top 35% of their class, and who have completed at least one course in a foreign language at the third-year level or beyond.

As a rule, undergraduates are not elected to PSI before junior standing; however, sophomores of exceptional abilities who meet all stated minimal requirements, having completed at least 45 semester hours may be elected to membership. Graduate students studying one or more languages may also be elected to membership after 12 semester hours of graduate residence, provided they have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in graduate studies.

Professional Members. Alumni of collegiate chapters shall be professional members. Others meeting the following criteria may be elected to professional membership: have made a distinctive contribution to the profession and (a) earned one or more degrees in foreign language and ranked within the top 35% of the class as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students and not been previously initiated into the Society, (b) earned one or more degrees qualifying them to work in the field and rank in the top 35% as undergraduates or 3.5 as graduate students, or (c) faculty of the university, after one academic year of teaching in that institution and having shown remarkable ability in their field as well as demonstrating support of the ideals of the society.

Honorary members shall be persons outside the field, excluding those employed in the field, who have made distinctive scholarly and research contributions to the study, use, or promotion of foreign languages and the ideals of the Society.

Membership in the Society is open to qualified candidates including persons with disability, regardless of age, color, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Phi Sigma Iota pledge

"We believe that a discerning and sympathetic understanding of the peoples of the world is essential to the welfare of humanity; that peace among nations and international amity are dependent upon an altruistic willingness to appreciate the character, the ideals, and the culture and civilization of other countries; that the study of foreign languages is one of the best means of contributing to such global understanding; that a broad study of international cultures is also essential to an adequate comprehension of all races and peoples; that it is our duty as world citizens to learn all that we can about the peoples of the world and to strive to judge their achievements objectively, fairly, and tolerantly; that it is our obligation to disseminate our knowledge and informed judgment as widely as possible in order to further international understanding; that it is incumbent upon us to attempt to inspire in others an interest in the language, literature, and other cultural manifestations of all races and peoples; and finally, we believe that we ourselves should continue the study of language, literature and culture in order to extend the horizons of our own understanding."

History

Phi Sigma Iota was founded in 1922 at Allegheny College by Dr. Henry W. Church, members of his department of languages, and advanced students who were meeting to discuss linguistic and literary matters. ΦΣΙ became a national society when its Beta chapter was established at The Pennsylvania State University in April 1925. Less than a year later, a Gamma chapter at the College of Wooster followed them. With these three chapters as the nucleus of the national organization, the first convention was held in May 1926, at Allegheny College. Since that time expansion has been steady.

In November 1935, Phi Sigma Iota was merged with Alpha Zeta Pi, a similar society west of the Mississippi, at a National Convention held at Bloomington, Illinois. Dr. Etienne Renaud and his associates in the Department of Languages organized Alpha Zeta Pi in October 1917 at the University of Denver.

In 1949, Phi Sigma Iota was granted membership into the U. S. Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), the first language society to receive that honor.

In 1978, under the Presidency of Dr. Santiago Vilas, the Society expanded into the National Foreign Language Honor Society Phi Sigma Iota to honor outstanding achievements in any foreign language including Classics, Philology, Applied Linguistics, Comparative Literature, and Bilingual Education.

In 1982, the Society became the International Foreign Language Honor Society by installing its first Chapter in a foreign country (Universidad Regiomontana, Monterrey, Mexico).

Every year Phi Sigma Iota awards several scholastic grants to its members. The first scholarship was established in 1939 in memory of the founder and first National President, Dr. Church. In 1970, another scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Anthony S. Corbiere, who was the national historian, newsletter editor, and executive secretary of Phi Sigma Iota for nearly thirty years. In 2000, two additional named scholarships were inaugurated. One to honor Dr. Cleon Capsus, professor of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of South Florida and one to honor the years of devoted work on behalf of PSI by Dr. Santiago Vilas. The Dr. Marie-France Hilgar Scholarship was established to honor former President Dr. Hilgar.

Insignia and etymology

The insignia of the society, adopted in 1935, was designed by Robert E. Dengler, 1893–1973, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University. The words PHI, SIGMA, and IOTA may be understood, respectively, as Φιλοτης (or Philotès, meaning Friendship), Σπουδη (or Spoudé, meaning Research and also Individuality), and Ιδιωμα (or Idioma, meaning Zeal).

The society's key is dominated by a five-pointed star. The center of this star represents the literary languages of classical antiquity: Greek, Latin, Sanskrit and Hebrew. These tongues live on today in spirit, furnishing the foundation for many modern languages and transmitting to the Western world the basis of much of its culture. Originally a Romance language society, Latin, the foundation of our modern Romance languages, formed the foundation of the insignia and was symbolized by the ivy wreath that surrounds the star on the Phi Sigma Iota key. The key was designed in 1935 by Robert E. Dengler, Professor of Classics at the Pennsylvania State University; since 1935 was the bimillennium of Horace's birth, Dr. Dengler put an ivy wreath in the design to recall the words of Horace, the Roman poet of the height of Augustan literature who wrote: "As for me, I want the ivy, the crown of learned brows, that unites me with the gods above..." The five-point star originally stood for the Romance languages but now is symbolic of the many rays of learning that emanate from all linguistic and literary traditions. The shield of Phi Sigma Iota comprises designs meant to recall various language and literary traditions represented by the Society. Today the Society represents not only the Romance languages but all languages.

The colors of the Society are purple and white.

The Forum

The Forum of Phi Sigma Iota is published annually and includes articles (both scholarly and anecdotal), poetry, art, and humor written by and for Society members.

References

  1. ^ "GOOD NEWS!-BU student inducted into Phi Sigma Iota". Press & Sun-Bulletin. May 15, 2010. Retrieved June 22, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ "LANGUAGE GROUP STARTS CHAPTER AT UNIVERSITY FYI". The Morning Call. May 18, 1987. Retrieved June 21, 2024 – via ProQuest.
  3. ^ "Notes and News". The Modern Language Journal. 39 (7): 378–381. 1955. JSTOR 321050.