Department News

History Honor Society Chapter Wins
Fourth-Straight Phi Alpha Theta
Best Chapter Award

Union University's Delta-Psi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society recently received word (mid-August, 2006), from the society's national headquarters that it has won its fourth-straight Best Chapter Award. Dr. Jack Tunstall, the executive director of Phi Alpha Theta, commended the chapter in a congratulatory letter for "the exceptional example" it set in the 2005-2006 academic year, and he expressed appreciation for "the tremendous time and effort required to maintain the high level of activity exhibited by your chapter." The award consists of a commemorative certificate and a monetary prize of up to $250 for the purchase of history books for Union University's library.

Cassie Harris was the president of the Delta-Psi Chapter in 2005-2006, and she set the tone for what proved to be an extremely active year for the local society. She was ably assisted by: other officers, including Vice President John Crawford, Secretary Jessica Gertig, and Senators Jennifer May and Natalie Treece; the many student members who regularly attended chapter activities; department faculty who participated in many chapter events; and, Dr. Stephen D. Carls, who completed his twenty-third year as faculty advisor. Chapter highlights included service projects at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in November, 2005, and at Shiloh National Military Park in April, 2006, a time capsule project directed at the chapter's 100th anniversary in 2053, and a bake sale to raise money for the restoration of historic sites in Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Active members of the 2005-2006 Delta-Psi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta included: (front row, left to right) Nikki Henry, Rachel Campbell, Cassie Harris, Racheal Pressnell, Gayra Jones, Bethany Kossick, and Jennifer May; (back row, left to right), Ben Burleson, Natalie Treece, Jared Myracle, Douglas Martin, John Crawford, and Dr. Stephen Carls. Not pictured are: Cameron Armstrong, Abby Carpenter, Heather Castleberry (Tobe), D. L. Frugé, Jessica Gertig, and Sharon Hart.