By ALISA THOMAS

Staff Writer

Lambda Rho Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, Tech's history honor society, was named best chapter for the 2004-2005 school year at the society's annual Best Chapter competition. The society has taken first or second place since 1978.

Stephen Webre, a faculty adviser of Phi Alpha Theta, head of the department of history and a professor of history, said he considers this recognition a reflection of the society's mission statement.

“We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians,” Webre said.

“We seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.”

Other advisers for the society are Philip C. Cook, a Garnie W. McGinty professor of history and V. Elaine Thompson, an assistant professor of history.

“The chapter has also been officially recognized both as best chapter and as recipient of the Nels A. Cleven Award for 2004, which are honors given to colleges and universities with enrollments between 10,000 and 15,000 students,” Webre said.

The Cleven award is a designation for chapters that have received the Best Chapter honor five or more times.

Robert Lay, president of Phi Alpha Theta and a graduate student of history, describes the significance of the Best Chapter award as the society's dedication in the pursuit of knowledge about history.

“The Best Chapter is generally the chapter which shows that members have done exceptional work in the study of history and who have participated in a number of events,” Lay said. “We start preparing for the Best Chapter competition even before we find out the results of the previous year's competition."

Competition is based on the chapter's scrapbook, which holds a record of everything the chapter has done throughout the year.

Jacynda Ammons, member of Phi Alpha Theta and a graduate student of history, said she considers the recognition an acknowledgment of hard work.

“I am honored to be a part of an award-winning chapter,” Ammons said. “When I came to Tech as a member of Phi Alpha Theta, I was told about the long-standing record as Best Chapter and because I participated so much last year, I am more honored to be a part of the award-winning tradition.”

Webre said he credits the students and staff for a job well done.

“I am proud, as always, of our student officers and members, and I am grateful for the strong faculty and administration support that made this recognition possible,” Webre said.

Ammons said she considers this recognition beneficial to the university in that it allows others to see what Tech's chapter is all about.

“I feel that this is a great honor for the history department and the university,” Ammons said. “Phi Alpha Theta co-sponsored many events that the university opened to the public such as the Civil War Film series and our Black History Month forums.”

Webre said the recognition is just one of many indicators of excellence at Tech.

“What does this recognition say about a university when it has a chapter of an honor society that has taken national honors every year since 1978?” Webre asked. “It says this is the place to come if you want to get a good education.”