Presbyterian College academic departments offer academic and professional organizations that provide events for students studying in a particular field of study. Academic goals cannot be achieved without the development of the student’s total personality. Since the majority of a student’s time is spent outside of the classroom, extracurricular and co-curricular activities serve as valuable partners with academics in the enhancement of the total college experience. They also provide opportunities for students to explore new interests.
Academic and Professional Organizations
Academic and Professional Organizations
Accounting Club
The Accounting Club was formed by students interested in a forum for the study of accounting outside of the classroom. This organization has monthly meetings where professionals from different areas of the accounting profession share their experience, views, and knowledge with our students. The club also promotes student participation in various professional accounting organizations within the South Carolina upstate area. Membership is open to all students interested in accounting or those who want to know more about the profession.
These extracurricular activities offer students important opportunities to make contacts with influential leaders of business, government, and education. In addition, students can see how classroom topics have “real-world” application in business.
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for more information.
Data Analytics Club
Contact the Department of Economics and Business Adminstration for more information.
French Club
Do you want to meet other students who speak French or who are interested in French culture? Do you like to chat, laugh, eat, or watch movies? Contact the Department of Modern Foreign Language. All levels are welcome!
History Club
Contact the Department of History for more information.
Mathematical Association of America
Contact the Department of Mathematics for more information.
Model United Nations
Presbyterian College’s Model UN is an educational simulation of the United Nations that provides students the opportunity to learn about its institutional structure, procedure, and international relations. Students serve as delegates of an assigned country and utilize their knowledge of the world to negotiate with allies and adversaries in an effort to resolve problems affecting their individual countries and, in turn, the greater world.
Each year, the College sends delegates to Model UN conferences, including the Southern Regional Model United Nations. In order to prepare students for these experiences, PC’s Model UN offers a one-credit course that provides background information on the UN and training to familiarize delegates with the rules of procedure and the issues on the agenda. Together, these experiences provide students with opportunities to:
- expand their international horizons
- conduct research
- refine their public speaking abilities
- cultivate their capacity to understand and empathize with the dynamic and ever-changing global community.
Model UN is a multidisciplinary program hosted by the Political Science Department. The team often consists of students representing a variety of academic interests, including biology, business, religion, modern foreign languages, political science, English, and mathematics! If you have a knack for debate, an interest in politics, a love for teamwork, and a passion to learn more about the global community, then Model UN is the perfect experience for you.
Palmetto State Teachers Association
Palmetto State Teachers Association (PSTA) is a group founded to support teachers in South Carolina in all aspects of teaching. PSTA advocates for teachers on the state level during legislative sessions and also provides information for teachers about current legislation that will affect educators. PSTA also offers professional development and training for in-service and preservice teachers as well as a variety of additional support services for SC educators. The student chapter of PSTA meets regularly to discuss issues in education and hosts speakers on relevant topics in education.
Political Science Club
Contact the Department of Political Science for more information.
Pre-Dental Club
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Pre-Medical Club
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Pre-Pharmacy Club
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Pre-Physician Assistant Club
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM)
The Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM) was created in 1980 to give students the opportunity to learn from seasoned, successful managers before embarking on their careers. The organization has monthly meetings in which students hear experienced professionals speak about current management topics pertaining to a variety of areas.
In the past, the organization has had such speakers as a former managing editor of U.S. News and World Report, a former vice-president of Sunbeam Corporation, the chief executive officer of Nucor Steel, the chief executive officer of Springs Industries, and many other well-known managers. SAM speakers give students the chance to see how practicing managers apply the topics business majors are learning in the classroom. Students also have the opportunity to learn about starting and managing a business from entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Society of Physics Students
Contact the Department of Physics and Computer Science for more information.
Spanish Club
The Spanish Club is a social and service-oriented organization with the two-fold purpose of expanding awareness and appreciation for Spanish culture on campus and supporting the local Hispanic community.
In conjunction with the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Club members host cultural functions on campus and volunteer their time as tutors and translators throughout Laurens County.
Recent campus activities have included a trip, co-sponsored with the History Department, to the Spartanburg International Festival, dinner at a Colombian restaurant in Greenville, several Spanish Dance Nights at a local Mexican restaurant, cuisine and movie nights in collaboration with the Carol International House, a collection drive for school supplies for a local community center that assists Latino students, and participation in the Special Olympics on the PC campus.
College Democrats
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
College Republicans
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Presbyterian College South Carolina Political Action Association of Students
Contact Student Involvement for more information.
Honor Council
The Honor Council is a student-led body that also includes faculty members. It investigates allegations of Honor Code violations, holds hearings, and decides on penalties according to rules laid out in the Blue Book. Students apply for membership in the Honor Council in February, for the following academic year, and are chosen by the Council’s Executive Committee.
Honor Societies
Beta Beta Beta (Biology)
Beta Beta Beta or TriBeta is the national biology honor society. Outstanding students in biology at colleges and universities across the country are invited to join this distinguished group of scholars. The Tau Psi chapter at Presbyterian College supports the mission of Tribeta to improve the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extend the boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. To qualify for TriBeta, a student must have an overall grade point average of 3.00 or above and a grade point average of 3.33 or above in biology courses after completing a minimum of 12 hours in biology at Presbyterian College. This determination is made at the end of the fall semester each year. Contact the Department of Biology for more information.
Kappa Delta Pi (Education)
PC hosts the Alpha Gamma Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education. Kappa Delta Pi was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The founders chose the name from the Greek words to represent knowledge, duty, and power.
Omicron Delta Kappa (Scholarship & Leadership)
The PC Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa was chartered in October 1985 with 20 seniors and 2 faculty representatives. It is a National Honor Society whose membership includes the top 35% of sophomores/juniors/seniors and is by invitation only. The society highlights the five pillars of:
- Academics and Research
- Athletics
- Service to Campus and Community
- Communications
- Creative and Performing Arts.
The PC Circle hosts a Leadership Program and participates in a Service Project each year. Current Faculty Advisor is Austin Shull, and the Circle Coordinator is Debby Young.
Phi Alpha Theta (History)
Contact the Department of History
Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics)
Contact the Department of Mathematics
Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science)
Contact the Department of Political Science
Psi Chi (Psychology)
Contact the Department of Psychology
Sigma Beta Delta (Economics and Business Administration)
The Department of Economic and Business Administration established PC’s chapter of Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society in 2010. The local chapter provides an opportunity for the faculty to confer on students international recognition for outstanding academic achievements in business.
The society honors the highest achieving business students at colleges and universities with regional accreditation. Approximately 340 established chapters exist in 47 states, with three international institutions. Candidates for bachelor and masters degrees in the school of business who rank in the upper 20 percent of their class at the time of invitation to membership into the society may be inducted into membership following completion of at least one-half of the degree program in which they are enrolled. While almost 300,000 students receive bachelors or masters degrees in business each year, only about 4,000 are inducted into lifetime membership in Sigma Beta Delta.
All inductees read the Sigma Beta Delta pledge aloud as a promise to maintain and uphold the society’s three founding principles:
Sigma, representing a Greek word meaning wisdom, is an important quality for members of Sigma Beta Delta to maintain in every situation. Wisdom is gained over time and allows one to acknowledge the reliability and importance of information, which can be incorporated into daily living.
Beta, representing a Greek word signifying honor, is generally accepted as a personal quality of the highest value. Sigma Beta Delta members are believed to uphold honor and the values of integrity and ethical decision making throughout every facet of life. An honorable person is considered trustworthy and dependable to make decisions based, not on personal feelings, but on what will benefit humankind to the highest degree.
Delta, representing a Greek word meaning the pursuit of meaningful aspirations, suggests the concept of pairing meaningful goals with the appropriate and necessary action. Ultimately, taking meaningful action helps one develop personally and professionally and will lead to a life of fulfillment and happiness.
Presbyterian College has been chosen to host a chapter of the prestigious Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society. Students who wish to become a member must be:
- majoring within the department;
- have taken 60 hours at PC;
- and place in the top 20% of the department.
To learn more about Sigma Beta Delta, go to SigmaBetaDelta.org
Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish)
Students focusing in Spanish who excel in their studies are eligible for membership in Psi Eta – Presbyterian College’s chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society.
Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society (La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispánica), was established on November 14, 1919, at the University of California at Berkeley. The Society’s insignia is the royal seal of Fernando and Isabel, representing Castille, León and Aragón. Sigma Delta Pi’s colors are red and gold, its flower is the red carnation, and its motto is the Greek phrase “Spanías Didagéi Proágomen” meaning “Let’s go forth/continue forth under the teaching/guidance of the Spanish language.”
The Psi Eta chapter of Sigma Delta Pi was established at Presbyterian College in 2009. Since then, 50 PC students and 2 professors have been inducted.
Membership Requirements:
In order to be eligible for membership in Psi Eta, students must:
- have completed at least three years, or the equivalent, of college Spanish, including at least three semester hours of a third-year course of Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization. Those students enrolled in these course are eligible for membership if the instructor will certify that their work is a B quality or better.
- have an average of at least 3.0 in all Spanish courses at PC.
- rank in the upper 35% of their class (sophomore, junior, senior).
- have completed at least three semesters of college work.
- have genuine interest in things Hispanic and be of good moral character.
Dr. Sharon E. Knight (seknight@presby.edu) is faculty adviser for the chapter.
Sigma Tau Delta (English)
Contact the Department of English