Honor Societies

Alpha Lambda Delta

Alpha Lambda Delta is an honor society that recognizes academic excellence during a student’s first year in college. The purpose of Alpha Lambda Delta is to promote a continued high standard of learning and to encourage superior academic achievement. A chapter was established at Sweet Briar in 1991. To be eligible, a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in her first academic year.

Alpha Psi Omega

In 2001, the Alpha Delta Beta chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Honorary Dramatic Fraternity, was established at Sweet Briar College to honor outstanding students in theatre arts.

Iota Sigma Pi

Iota Sigma Pi, the National Honor Society for Women in Chemistry, was founded in 1902 at the University of California, Berkeley. Iota Sigma Pi’s mission is to promote professional development and personal growth of women in chemistry. The Lanthanum Chapter, the 48th chapter of Iota Sigma Pi, was founded in May 1998. Members currently come from three Lynchburg area colleges: Sweet Briar College, Randolph College and University of Lynchburg.

Kappa Pi

The Sweet Briar Chapter of Kappa Pi International Honor Society was established in 2019. It is open to any student who has talent for or supports visual art.

Omicron Delta Epsilon

The Sweet Briar chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the National Honor Society in Economics, was established in 2005. The objectives of Omicron Delta Epsilon are recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics and the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within and among colleges and universities.

Omicron Delta Kappa

The Sweet Briar Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa, a national Honors Society for Leadership, was established in 2004. The objectives of Omicron Delta Kappa are recognition of attainment of high standards of leadership in collegiate activities and encouragement to aspire to even higher achievements. This organization provides a means to recognize and encourage excellence in leadership where it is combined with excellence in academics.

Phi Beta Kappa Society

The Theta of Virginia chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded at Sweet Briar College in 1950. With fewer than 300 chapters nationwide, membership is highly selective. Candidates must be completing at least two years of residence at the College. Grade point average is an important, but not the sole, criterion for election. Weight is given to recommendations from faculty and to the breadth of each candidate’s program as shown by the number and the variety of courses taken outside her major. Also important are the balance and proportion in a candidate’s degree program as a whole. Finally, candidates must demonstrate a knowledge of mathematics and of a foreign language at least minimally appropriate for liberal arts education.