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History of the Association
The French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi, was founded at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1906. After twenty years
as a local chapter, Pi Delta Phi declared itself the National French Honor
Society and chartered the Beta Chapter at the University of Southern California
in 1925.
The Society expanded slowly during the next fifteen years. Since the end of
World War II, Pi Delta Phi has enjoyed phenomenal growth. At the present time,
it numbers more than 320 chapters established at public and private colleges and
universities in almost every state, as well as chapters in Paris and
The Society was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor
Societies in 1967, and its official publication of Pi Delta Phi is the Newsletter.
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Purpose
The purpose of Pi Delta Phi is threefold:
- To recognize outstanding
scholarship in the French language and its literature;
- To increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural
contributions of the French-speaking world; and
- To stimulate and encourage French and Francophone cultural activities.
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Membership
Regular members include graduate and undergraduate students who are nominated
in recognition of their academic achievement in at least one semester of upper
division French, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in French.
New members are inducted
at the end of each Spring Semester during the annual initiation ceremony of the
Villanova Chapter Kappa Nu. Each inductee receives the official key and a
certificate indicating life membership in the organization. |
The Villanova Chapter Kappa Nu
The Villanova Chapter Kappa Nu was created in 1990. During the past two
decades it has been coordinated by Dr. Waggaman with the help of various student
presidents and officers. Over the years, the members of the Chapter have had the
opportunity to enjoy listening to interesting lectures by guests speakers.
They
have also been engaged in many French cultural activities such as visits to art
exhibits at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Collection. Members
have attended performances of plays, musicals, operas as well as concerts of
both classical and popular music not to mention dining from crepes and bistro
style dishes to an occasional haute cuisine experience along with a lesson in
dining etiquette at the Restaurant School of Philadelphia.
The yearly induction ceremony has both a serious and festive component. It is
always accompanied by an academic guest speaker, a local professional or a
creative performer. It concludes with a reception featuring a buffet of a
variety of French delicacies served amidst cordial conversation.
In the year 2006, Kappa Nu celebrated the centennial of Pi Delta Phi by
organizing a meeting on campus with the French community living on the Main
Line. Members had the opportunity to interact with the local French population.
We look forward to the ongoing dynamic participation of new members as the
Society continues its service to American students and French culture!
For more information on how to be part of the French Honor Society,
please contact Dr. Beatrice Waggaman,
coordinator of Chapter Kappa Nu:
Beatrice.waggaman@villanova.edu
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