by Abigail Ramirez
Daily Lobo
Student Heather Gomolak isn't part of an honor society, but she is planning on looking into them.
"I would join one because it looks like a good program. It's an honor to be in one, and it would make my mom very happy," she said.
Student Jennifer Giddens said she probably wouldn't join an honor society.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"I don't know what they have to offer me," she said. "I don't feel there is a benefit. And if there is one, I don't know about it."
Recognizing and applauding academic accomplishments of students is the purpose of most honor societies, said Cyndi Greenwood, president of the national honor society Theta Alpha Kappa and the Student Association of Religious Studies.
These societies give students the opportunity to publish or present papers, she said. They help students develop relations with professionals and members in their community, apply for scholarships, meet other students with similar interests and become more active both on campus and in the community. They also give students more access to careers, she said.
"Speaking from experience, I volunteered my time for the first time two years ago tutoring UNM students," said Brian Schmitt, president of Tau Beta Pi. "Since then I have fallen in love with giving my time to helping other students pass their various classes."
Honor societies help students realize the importance of building strong relationships with the academic and professional community, said Matt Walker, president of Beta Alpha Psi.
"I know personally I have grown by being involved and serving my community," he said. "The networking and service opportunities provided by my honor society has connected me with professionals in local firms and has allowed me to meet and develop friendships with members from across the country."
Honor societies help bridge the gap between knowledge learned in the class and the skills needed in the work place, Schmitt said.
Some students only use honor societies to place them on their rÇsumÇ, he said.
"It looks good on a rÇsumÇ - some people join for no other reason than ability to list it on their rÇsumÇ," he said.
The average cost to join is anywhere from $30 to $100, Walker said. This money is used to pay for national fees for the chapter and for the society to maintain itself, he said.
Some honor societies are recognized worldwide, such as the Golden Key International Honor Society, said Susan Murray, president of the UNM chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society.
Various officer positions are usually offered within societies to members who are interested, she said. At graduation, honor society participants graduate with the regalia of their honor society, Greenwood said.
Lillian Acosta, senior advisor of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, said she joined for more than one reason.
"It gave me leadership skills," she said. "I am able to apply to more scholarships, and we do a bunch of community service, which is a good way to meet new people and help the community out."
