Bushnell’s Pi Gamma Mu Chapter Achieves Star Status

EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University’s Oregon Delta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, the International Honor Society for the Social Sciences, has earned the distinction of Star Chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year. This recognition, awarded by the Pi Gamma Mu Board of Trustees, acknowledges the chapter’s impressive growth, with a 20% increase in membership compared to previous years. This achievement is a clear reflection of the continued expansion and academic excellence within Bushnell’s Psychology program. 

Chartered in 2017, the Oregon Delta Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu was established to honor students in a variety of social science disciplines, including psychology. While Pi Gamma Mu is not exclusive to psychology, its recent inductees have been psychology majors, minors, or students pursuing interdisciplinary studies with a psychology focus. The chapter’s commitment to academic recognition, however, extends beyond psychology students, offering a platform for excellence in all social science fields. 

The chapter’s growth has been marked by steady increases in membership over the last several years. The charter initiation class of  2017 included 14 seniors from various social science disciplines. In 2018, six seniors from psychology and communication were inducted as the first group of members. After a two-year gap from 2019 to 2021 with no new inductions due to the absence of a membership drive, 16 psychology students were inducted in 2022, followed by 13 psychology students in spring 2023, and 22 junior and senior psychology students in spring 2024. Looking ahead, the 2024-2025 academic year will see membership opening to students across all social science disciplines who meet the eligibility criteria. 

To be eligible for induction into Pi Gamma Mu, students must complete at least 20 credit hours in social science courses, maintain a grade point average of B or higher, and rank in the top 35% of their class. Inductees are celebrated for their scholarly achievements during Bushnell’s Honors Convocation and Pi Gamma Mu Induction Ceremony, where they receive a membership pin, certificate, and card. Graduating seniors are also presented with an honors cord to wear at commencement. 

“The recognition of our Pi Gamma Mu chapter as a Star Chapter is an indication of the hard work and dedication of our students in the social sciences,” said Dr. Nani Skaggs, faculty advisor for the society and Professor of Psychology at Bushnell. “Dr. Erin Mueller and I are proud of our students’ commitment to learning and academic excellence, and this recognition further highlights the strength of our Psychology program.” 

The chapter’s growth in membership displays an increasing strength of Bushnell’s Psychology program, both on-site and online, which offers concentrations in general psychology, forensic psychology, and a newly added neuroscience concentration. Faculty members are hopeful that this momentum will continue, with plans to apply for Psi Chi, the International Honor Society for Psychology, to further recognize excellence in the field. 

As Pi Gamma Mu continues to expand its reach and impact, its recognition of outstanding academic achievements serves as an important part of Bushnell’s mission to provide students with meaningful opportunities for professional and personal growth. The honor not only celebrates students’ hard work but also provides them with valuable lifelong resources to support their careers in the social sciences. 

To learn more about the onsite program, visit www.bushnell.edu/psychology To learn more about the online program, visit www.bushnell.edu/online-psychology.