Gamma Sigma Alpha

{{Short description|American interfraternity honor society}} {{Infobox fraternity | name = Gamma Sigma Alpha | letters = {{lang|grc|ΓΣΑ}} | crest = Gamma-Sigma-Alpha-Seal.png | image_size = 200px | alt = The seal of Gamma Sigma Alpha | founded = {{start date and age|1989|11|9}} | birthplace = University of Southern California | affiliation = Independent | status = Active | type = Honor society | emphasis = Interfraternity academics | scope = National | motto = {{lang|grc|Γαμμα Σιγμα Αλφα}} | pillars = Academic Engagement, Congruence, Excellence, Inclusion, Knowledge, Recognition, and Relationships | colors = {{color box|#FF0000}} Red and {{color box|#FFD700}} Gold | chapters = 215+ | address = 316 Cherry Hill Boulevard | city = Cherry Hill | state = New Jersey | ZIP code = 08002 | country = United States | homepage = {{URL|http://gammasigmaalpha.org}} }} '''Gamma Sigma Alpha''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΓΣΑ}}''', or '''GSA''') is an American academic Greek honor society recognizing academic excellence of members of fraternities and sororities. It was established in 1989 at the University of Southern California.

== History == Gamma Sigma Alpha was founded at the University of Southern California on November 9, 1989, by Beth K. Saul and a group of scholastic achievers representing various fraternities and sororities dedicated to advancing higher education and academic accomplishment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://greeklife.umich.edu/article/gamma-sigma-alpha-greek-honor-society|title=Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek Honor Society {{!}} Greek Life|website=greeklife.umich.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-08-26|archive-date=2017-06-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627182701/https://greeklife.umich.edu/article/gamma-sigma-alpha-greek-honor-society|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~gsahonor/history.htm|title=The History of Gamma Sigma Alpha|website=web.ics.purdue.edu|access-date=2017-08-26}}</ref>

Gamma Sigma Alpha states that its mission is "to recognize and advance academic excellence as a core value of fraternities and sororities".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mission, Vision & Values « Gamma Sigma Alpha |url=http://gammasigmaalpha.org/about/mission/ |access-date=2017-08-25 |website=gammasigmaalpha.org |language=en-US |archive-date=2017-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826071304/http://gammasigmaalpha.org/about/mission/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Unlike the Order of Omega, who also reward Greek life academic successes, Gamma Sigma Alpha does not limit the number of members who can be initiated.<ref name=":0" />

The society presents an academic scholarship to one of its members.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-06-17 |title=Gamma Sigma Alpha Scholarship |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-gamma-sigma-alpha-schola/163132941/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |work=Ledger-Enquirer |location=Columbus, Georgia |pages=P2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Its national headquarters are at 316 Cherry Hill Boulevard in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Tom |date=2016-05-27 |title=Contact Gamma Sigma Alpha |url=https://gammasigmaalpha.org/contact-gamma-sigma-alpha/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Gamma Sigma Alpha |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Symbols == The badge of Gamma Sigma Alpha, which can be seen within its seal, consists of a white-lit candle with a golden base on a field of Gules (red) with a bend of argent.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://gammasigmaalpha.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/InformationPacketElectronicSpg15.pdf |title=Gamma Sigma Alpha National Greek Academic Honor Society Information Packet |date=Spring 2015 |publisher=Gamma Sigma Alpha National Greek Academic Honor Society |access-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822121159/https://gammasigmaalpha.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/InformationPacketElectronicSpg15.pdf |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Graduating members wear honor cords of red and gold.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graduating with Honors |url=https://www.mnsu.edu/commencement-services/preparing-to-graduate/graduating-with-honors/#:~:text=Gamma%20Sigma%20Alpha-,Gamma%20Sigma%20Alpha%20National%20Academic%20Greek%20Honor%20Society%20is%20committed,John%20Bulcock,%20for%20more%20information. |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Minnesota State University, Mankato |language=en}}</ref> Its motto is ''{{lang|grc|Γαμμα Σιγμα Αλφα}}''. Its values or pillars are Academic Engagement, Congruence, Excellence, Inclusion, Knowledge, Recognition, and Relationships.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2016-08-09 |title=Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society {{!}} Greek Life and Societies |url=https://students.dartmouth.edu/greek-life/societies/honor-societies/gamma-sigma-alpha-honor-society |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Dartmouth University |language=en}}</ref>

== Membership == Undergraduate students, in their junior or senior year, can apply for membership if they are members of a Greek fraternity or sorority on campus and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mnsu.edu/activities/greek/honoraries.html|title=Honorary Organizations – – Minnesota State University, Mankato|website=www.mnsu.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-08-26}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=2009-04-22 |title=School |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dothan-eagle-school/163133176/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |work=The Dothan Eagle |location=Dothan, Alabama |pages=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The society initiates nearly 2,000 members each year.<ref name=":3" />

== Notable members ==

* Camille Vasquez, lawyer

== See also ==

* Honor cords * Honor society

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:University of Southern California Category:Student organizations established in 1989 Category:Honor societies Category:1989 establishments in California