History Club & Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honors Society)

Western Oregon University’s Alpha Iota Xi Chapter

2024-2025 Chapter President: Zephen Wilkinson

2024-2025 Chapter Vice President: Jakob Ritter

Faculty Adviser: Dr. Elizabeth M. Swedo

Contact Email: phialphatheta@wou.edu

Phi Alpha Theta meets every Thursday

at 2:00 pm in Hamersly Library 210

Western Oregon University’s History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, was founded in 2001 by twenty-five students and faculty. Since then the chapter has annually initiated students who show academic excellence and distinction in history. The initiation ceremony reviews the stages of history and encourages students to have a life-long dedication to the society’s goals.

Chapter members have been frequent participants in the Phi Alpha Theta Pacific Northwest Regional Conference. At these meetings, students present research papers to a public consisting of Northwest faculty and students. Faculty members critique the papers while students offer commentary or ask questions. In the case of Western’s participants, this conference helps students prepare for graduate work in history, education, and library science.

Papers presented by Phi Alpha Theta students at regional conferences are available online through Hamersly Library Digital Commons:  digitalcommons.wou.edu/pat/

Qualifications for becoming a Phi Alpha Theta member

* You do NOT have to be a History Major or Minor to become a member

Undergraduates:

* at least 18 Credits in History (any combination of online, transfer, or AP credit accepted)
* at least a 3.1 GPA in History
* at least a 3.0 Overall GPA

Graduates:

* 18 Credits toward Master’s Degree in a History Program
* GPA 3.5 or better
* 30% completion of Master’s

Once you’ve joined Phi Alpha Theta, you’re an alumna for life, even after you’ve graduated!

Download Application Here

About PAT Application Directions

Become a History Club Member!

The History Club extends the outreach of our PAT chapter, increasing access to and promotion of History for all WOU students. We are dedicated to sharing our passion for history with others in a fun and engaging manner. All WOU students are eligible to become members of the History Club: there are no GPA, course credit, or Major/Minor requirements! The History Club broadens participation in History, sponsoring campus activities for the entire WOU community.

To join History Club:

All WOU students are eligible to become members of the History Club, so long as the individual is willing to fulfill the club’s purpose and abide by the club’s constitution. Students may become members of the History Club by attending the weekly meetings that are held or by contacting the current officers.

• Joining the History Club: Aspiring members of the History Club can find the History Club on Involve (https://wou.presence.io/organization/phi-alpha-theta-national-history-honor-society) and click “join organization.” New members will receive a confirmation from a Club Officer. Additionally, aspiring members can attend any meeting or event to join the club.

Membership in History Club/Phi Alpha Theta includes opportunities to:

• Share your love and curiosity for history with other students
• Socialize with the WOU community through campus activities
• Make connections in the historical community at Western
• Build your resume
• Attend and present at the annual regional conference with your Phi Alpha Theta peers
• Help organize events and get others interested in history

What If I Don’t Qualify for Membership?

Phi Alpha Theta is an inclusive group. Students who don’t qualify for official membership are welcome to attend and are warmly invited to participate in PAT events and activities.

Donate to Phi Alpha Theta at Western Oregon University

Click here, and select “Support WOU” and for designation select “other” and then enter “Phi Alpha Theta” in the box.

Links

Follow us on Instagram at phialphathetawou_

National Phi Alpha Theta Website:  http://phialphatheta. org

PAT site on WOU Presence: https://wou.presence.io/organization/phi-alpha-theta-national-history-honor-society

Phi Alpha Theta Northwest Regional Consortium https://www.umt.edu/history/undergraduate/phi-alpha-theta/nwregional.php 

2025 Northwest Regional Conference

University of Montana and Montana State University Billings

2020 Northwest Regional Conference

Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, cancelled due to COVID-19

Camden Jones “An Examination of Alleged Infidelity: Mary of Guelders and her Accusers”
Martin Hainz “Social Activism & the NSDAP: A Force of Radical Change in Germany”

2019 Northwest regional conference:

Idaho State University, April 12-13, 2019

• Alexandra Bell, “The Impact of Napoleon Bonaparte in Egypt.”
• Camden Jones, “An Examination of Bieiris de Romans’ Potential Homosexuality.”
• Hudson Kennedy, ““Warsaw Pact Invasion of Czechoslovakia: Provoked by the Open Media.”
• Dayna Ragasa, “The World’s Columbian Exposition: Racial Exploitation Disguised by National Progress.”

2017 Northwest Regional Conference:

Eastern Washington University, Spokane Washington

• Katilyn Kirkman, “Homosexuality in the Military”
• Spencer Welter, “Progressive Era Environments”
• James Masnov, “Columbia Vanishing: Disappearance of the American Republic and the Emergence of the Modern State”

To see photos from this

presentation and other past events click here.

Recent Inductees to Western Oregon University’s Alpha Iota Xi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta

2023

Zane Hix

Stephanie McKenzie

Jakob Ritter

Hallie Tasker

Zephen Wilkinson

Charles Williams 

2022

Alexander S. Capwell

Ryan Duffy

Garak D. Garza

Maddie R. Lehrer

Audrey Manning

Neil R. Zimmerly

Sam N. Speckman

Astra J. Underhill

2021

Cee Jay Eddy

Sarah Hopkins

Mackenzie Lynn

Chloe Miller

Antonia Scholerman

2020

John Franzwa

Brandon Parsons

Camden Jones

Samantha Weiss

2019

Andres W. Alvarez

Alexandra M. Bell

Neal R. Cranston

Martin Thomas Hainz

Marcos A. Morales II

Jonathan M. Penrice

Dayna C. Ragasa