Lambda Alpha Honors Society

Wichita State University Chapter

History

Lambda Alpha is the international honors society for students of anthropology. The name, Lambda Alpha, comes from the initial letters of the Greek words logos anthropou, meaning the ‘study of man’. The society was originally founded at Wichita State University with the purpose of encouraging scholarship and research in anthropology. From its base at Wichita State University, Lambda Alpha has grown to include more than fifty chapters across the United States. Several of these chapters are in connection with Wichita State University; however, we are known as the “Alpha” chapter.

Membership

Being a member of an honors organization can bring many benefits to your student life and professional career. It can help you enhance your resume by showing your leadership skills, creating opportunities to meet people who share the same interests as you, as well as providing opportunities to attend student and professional conferences, providing the platform to publish your research papers, and providing an environment to create a network of references in the field.

Membership in Lambda Alpha is available to students interested in anthropology who meet the standards of scholastic performance set by our organization. Membership is approved by the local chapter, under the supervision of at least one faculty member. There is a required $50 initiation fee determined by and paid to the National Lambda Alpha Honors Society.

Undergraduate student applicants who wish to be considered must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.25.

Graduate student applicants who wish to be considered, must be in good departmental standing and have a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Lambda Alpha Monthly

Lambda Alpha monthly newsletters were reinstated in 2019. These newsletters contain updates regarding Wichita State University's Lambda Alpha chapter's activities, information about the Department of Anthropology, and sections on student and faculty research.

Lambda Alpha Symposium

Our chapter also organizes and hosts an annual Symposium open to undergraduate and graduate anthropology students both on and off campus. This Symposium generally occurs during the spring semester of each year. There is a prize for the Overall Best Presentation as well as the Best Undergraduate Presentation.

Please check back for information pertaining to future Lambda Alpha Symposiums.

Lambda Alpha Journal

The Lambda Alpha Journal is a yearly publication of student papers by members of the Lambda Alpha National Collegiate Honors Society for Anthropology and is published at Wichita State University, Department of Anthropology.

Professional, avocational, student manuscripts, and book reviews of recent publications are welcome.

The journal is made possible through the efforts of the journal editorial staff residing at the founding chapter, Alpha of Kansas. Funding for the journal is obtained through subscriptions and continuing sponsorship by the Student Government Association of Wichita State University.

Founded by: Dr. Lowell D. Holmes

Editor in Chief: Dr. Peer H. Moore-Jansen