History Club & Phi Alpha Theta
Background & Mission Statement
Founded by Nels Andrew N. Cleven in 1921 at the University of Arkansas, the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ, PAT), is a society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. PAT seeks to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by its members in a variety of ways.
Since its founding, PAT has grown to more than nine hundred chapters in all fifty states. It has the distinction of having more chapters than any other accredited four-year college honor society, holding one of the earliest memberships in the Association of College Honor Societies. More than 500,000 members have been initiated since the society's inception.
The Beta-Lambda Chapter was founded at San José State University in 1948 and has initiated hundreds of members. The chapter also inspired the creation of SJSU's History Club, originally known as History Associates. What is ostensibly two organizations in fact operates as one, providing a space for all students interested in history. It is our goal to help SJSU's history community thrive by offering professional, academic, and social support.
Requirements for Membership
Undergraduate student applicants must have completed at least twelve semester hours in history and must have a minimum 3.1 GPA in history, as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA overall. Undergraduates do not have to be history majors to qualify for membership.
Graduate history student applicants must have completed at least twelve semester hours towards their Master's degree and approximately 30% of their program requirements. They must have a GPA better than 3.5 in their program.
History faculty applicants are eligible for membership if they teach history courses and are ranked above "Instructor."
Beta-Lambda Chapter encourages all qualified students and faculty to apply for membership in Phi Alpha Theta. Applications are available in the History Department office (DMH 134) or online here. Initiations are held every Spring. The annual deadline for applications is the first Saturday in March. Applications received after the March deadline will be considered for the following Spring's initiation.
Fall 2025 Phi Alpha Theta Officers
This semester's weekly meetings will be held in DMH 135 on Tuesdays from 4:00PM to 5:30PM. Meeting details are subject to change.
| Position | Name | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| President | Sam Rios | samantha.riossanchez@sjsu.edu |
| Treasurer | Jeremiah Ortiz | jeremiah.ortiz@sjsu.edu |
| Secretary | Parker Nguyen | parker.nguyen@sjsu.edu |
| Social Media Director | Stephanie Hernandez Mendoza | stephanie.hernandezmendoza@sjsu.edu |
| Club Officer | Aidan Rauh | aidan.rauh@sjsu.edu |
| Club Officer | Leigh Drake | leigh.drake@sjsu.edu |
| Club Officer | Caesar Garcia | caesar.garcia@sjsu.edu |
| Club Officer | Richard Germiller | richard.germiller@sjsu.edu |
| Faculty Advisor | Leslie Corona | leslie.corona@sjsu.edu |
| Faculty Advisor | Gregory Tomlinson | gregory.tomlinson@sjsu.edu |
Explore the SJSU History Club & Phi Alpha Theta Linktree for membership applications, social media, and more! If you have any questions, please reach out to us at sjsuphialphatheta@gmail.com or contact our faculty advisor, Leslie Corona, at leslie.corona@sjsu.edu.
Phi Alpha Theta Scholarships
- The A.F. Zimmerman Scholarship of $1,250 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
- The Thomas S. Morgan Memorial Award of $750 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
- The William E. Parrish Award of $750 is presented to a student member entering graduate school for the first time for work leading to the M.A. degree in history.
- The John Pine Memorial Award in the amount of $1000 is awarded to a graduate student member for advanced graduate study.
- Four Additional Awards of $750 each are presented to student members entering graduate school for the first time or in the advanced stages of study.
- The Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship. An additional $1000 can be awarded to an advanced graduate student member of the society for final work leading to a Ph.D. in history.
