Voorhees establishes new Pi Gamma Mu Chapter on campus

Denmark, S.C.– The Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences Board of Trustees recently approved Voorhees College to establish a chapter on campus.

The chapter will be directed by Louis Howell, Jr., assistant professor of criminal justice. Establishing a chapter at Voorhees is reflected in the institution’s strategic goals regarding excellence and distinction as Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest and preeminent interdisciplinary social science honor society.

The mission of Pi Gamma Mu is to encourage and promote excellence in the Social Sciences and to uphold and nurture scholarship, leadership, and service. Pi Gamma Mu serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues. Currently, there are around 150 active chapters in the United States and overseas.

Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Voorhees is certainly honored to join the academic ranks of Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society. “The collegiate interactions that will take place will add to our faculty and students’ engagement in national and international scholarship,”Hopkins said.

Pi Gamma Mu’s constitution defines the social sciences to include the disciplines of history, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, international relations, criminal justice, social work, social philosophy, history of education, and cultural/human geography. Membership is also extended to interdisciplinary social science areas that build on the core social science disciplines, such as business and society, education, minority studies, public administration, international studies, public finance, leadership studies, consumer behavior, public policy and organizational behavior.

Dr. Tywana Chenault, chairperson for the Department of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences, said she is excited about the opportunity to highlight our honor students. “They will benefit tremendously from Pi Gamma Mu’s scholarships, federal employment benefits, and the opportunity to network with high achieving peers and professionals in a variety of social science fields,” Chenault said.

Voorhees will soon plan and prepare to host its first meeting in the upcoming weeks.