Alpha Sigma Nu

In 1915, the original society, Alpha Sigma Tau was founded by Father John Danihy, S.J. He was the dean of journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1921, a second chapter was founded in Creighton University in Nebraska, United States. In 1925, a women-only society, Gamma Pi Epsilon, was founded. It had the same purpose as Alpha Sigma Nu, but the two societies remained independent. In 1930, Alpha Sigma Tau became Alpha Sigma Nu. On March 30, 1973, Alpha Sigma Nu and Gamma Pi Epsilon merged. Alpha Sigma Nu is an honor society for Jesuit institutions of higher education and recognizes students for scholarship, loyalty and service. Alpha Sigma Nu joined the Association of College Honor Societies in 1975. By 2012, the society had 31 active chapters, 14 alumni clubs, 3,100 annual members, and 72,000 initiates. Alpha Sigma Nu currently has over 90,000 lifetime members and admits around 2,000 new members each year. Its national headquarters is at 707 N. 11th Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. == Symbols ==

The Greek letters Alpha Sigma Nu stand for the motto or "Company of Honor Students". The society's key bears the three Greek letters '''''' with the eye of wisdom. Its colors are maroon and gold, selected because these colors are used on the family seal of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. The society's publication is Newsletter. == Activities ==

In 1979, Alpha Sigma Nu created the Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Book Awards. Some chapters present lectures, provide tutoring, or assistant with convocations. == Membership ==

Membership is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are in the top fifteen percent of their class and show service and loyalty to Jesuit ideals in higher education. No more than four percent of a given class may be offered membership. == Chapters ==

These chapters were given charters as follows: ==Notable members==

• J. Philip Calabrese, judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio • Timothy Creamer, NASA flight director and astronaut • John Demers, United States Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division • Paul Elward, Illinois House of Representatives • Chester Gillis, dean of Georgetown College • Michael W. Higgins, interim principal of St. Mark's College and president of Corpus Christi College • Joseph John Issa, businessman • Robert Kaske, medieval literature professor at Cornell University • Michael J. Kaufman, dean and professor at Santa Clara University School of Law. • Brett Kissela, vascular neurologist • Frank Lazarus, president of the University of Dallas • Mark Maybury, Chief Scientist of the United States Air Force • Ralph Metcalfe, U.S. House of Representatives and Olympian • Kelsey Neumann, professional ice hockey player • Phil Olsen, professional football player • Joseph A. Panuska, president of the University of Scranton • Mary Rakow, novelist • Clarence Thomas, US Supreme Court justice • Ellen Umansky, professor of Judaic Studies and Director of the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University • Mary Alice Williams, news anchor ==See also==