At the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, political science majors and faculty have the opportunity to form a unique bond.

Political science professor Druscilla Scribner said, “Because we are a small department, we really get to know a lot of our students.”

Scribner was the 2009-2010 faculty adviser for the UW Oshkosh chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.

At the end of July, the UW Oshkosh chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, Pi Chi, received a Best Chapter Award for 2009-2010 for its high energy and creativity in adding to the success of the honor society.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Scribner said. “It was not something we applied for, but I thought it was nice and reflected the students’ hard work.”

Pi Sigma Alpha was originally founded in 1920 at the University of Texas as a way of bringing students and faculty interested in the study of political science together. According to the Pi Sigma Alpha website, there are now more than 650 chapters across the U.S. and Guam.

UWO’s chapter was founded in 1988 and its growth has been relatively stable. “Changes that stood out would probably be spending more time on student research,” Scribner said.

Pi Chi works in conjunction with the Political Science Student Association (PSSA). Scribner described this organization as a student-run group that tries to set up more social events with the faculty.

“Pi Chi meets annually, but all are welcome to multiple PSSA events during the year,” said Amy Gearhart, a senior political science and religious studies major.

During the 2009-2010 academic year, there were many events held by Pi Chi and PSSA, including co-sponsoring speakers for Constitution Day events, a movie night and talk-back with new faculty, career workshop for political science majors, a bowling with the faculty night, an essay contest and the annual induction banquet in the spring.

“The events were a way of getting students to interact more with the faculty,” Scribner said.

PSSA is open to everyone, not only political science majors. To become a member of Pi Chi, however, a student must be invited and reach certain criteria. The requirements for joining the honor society consist of being a political science major, a 3.3 or higher GPA in political science classes, a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, junior or senior standing, and a one-time life membership fee of $35.

“It’s a great thing to strive to achieve as well as a great thing to put on your resume,” senior political science major Chad Wartick said. “I was inducted into the honor society last spring. I decided to join because I believe it is an honor to be asked to join and also because it shows my hard work in maintaining my GPA.”

There are numerous benefits to becoming a member of the honor society, including a certificate of membership, permanent enrollment into the society’s database, access to a jobs database with Experience.com and automatic tuition reductions for the Washington internship programs.

“Having access to scholarships and academic journals is very helpful,” Gearhart said. “I enjoy the camaraderie I feel with other members of the organization and the better relationships I have formed with faculty.”

Both Gearhart and Wartick recommend Pi Chi to other political science majors if invited.

“Joining this organization demonstrates that the student is serious about their studies and wants to join a special group of students in our major who have achieved a high GPA,” Gearhart said. “The more students we have eligible and join, the more respect and better reputation our major has.”

“It’s a way to showcase our work and recognize how strong of a political science department Oshkosh has,” she said. “We have fantastic professors who really care about the success of their students and teach with enthusiasm I haven’t experienced in any other classes.”

• For more information about PSSA or the Pi Chi chapter, visit www.uwosh.edu/political_science or contact Marissa Reynolds, chapter president, at reynom32@uwosh.edu.