Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history.  The society has over 400,000 members, with some 9,000 new members joining each year through 970 chapters nationwide.

PAT Officers Meeting, Fall 2019
PAT Officers Meeting, Fall 2019

Phi Alpha Theta was established on March 17, 1921 at the University of Arkansas by Professor Nels Cleven.  Cleven had become convinced in his time at the university that a fraternity of scholars (which would accept men or women) was important for the study of history.  He invited students to a meeting to form the society (then called the “University Historical Society”) on March 14, and the society was officially recognized on the 17th.  In April, the decision was made for the society to be known by the Greek letters Phi Alpha Theta.

Faculty advisor: Dr. Laura Michele Diener

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Marshall University
Department of History
Harris Hall 116
Huntington, WV 25755
history@marshall.edu
304-696-6780

In the Community

History student Adrienne Hall and Dr. Molly Mersmann at the Ceredo historical site The Ramsdell House. The former home of an abolitionist and a stop on the Underground Railroad, the Ramsdell House has am amazing collection of 19th century letters and artefacts. Hall is serving as a student intern this spring under Dr. Mersmann's supervision.