Rho Chi
| The Rho Chi Society | |
|---|---|
| ΡΧ | |
 | |
| Founded | May, 1922 University of Michigan |
| Type | Honor Society |
| Scope | International |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| Chapters | 110 |
| Headquarters | The Rho Chi Society, c/o UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Campus Box 7569, 3210 Kerr Hall Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA |
| Website | Rho Chi Homepage |
Rho Chi (ΡΧ) is an international honor society for pharmaceutical sciences. It was founded in May, 1922, to "encourage high scholastic achievement and fellowship among students in pharmacy and to promote the pharmaceutical sciences".[1]
History
The organization evolved from the Aristolochite Society which had been established at the University of Michigan as a local honor society in 1908. Discussion of national expansion began in 1917, met with urging at that same time from pharmacy faculty, which resulted in a second chapter of Aristolochite being established in 1919 at what is now Oregon State University, and a third at the University of Oklahoma. The Society adopted the name "Rho Chi Society" that year, with the grant of a charter from the State of Michigan.[1][2] Further support was provided by an American Conference of Pharmaceutical Faculties committee chaired by Zada Mary Cooper in 1920–1921.[3]
The society grew slowly at first, with eight chapters by 1927, and ten more over the next five years. Expansion continued more rapidly, resulting in a chapter count of 110 as of 2014.[2]
Rho Chi Society was admitted to membership in the Association of College Honor Societies in 1947.[1]
Government is by convention, held annually in conjunction with the meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.[1]
The 1991 edition of Baird's Manual noted the Society had 46,500 initiates.[1]
Chapters
The Society has established 110 chapters since 1922.
Membership requirements
Undergraduates eligible for election as active members of a chapter must have completed a minimum of 75 hours of scholastic work, be ranked in the upper 20 percent of their class, and have attained a scholastic average equivalent to the second highest letter grade. They must also show a "capacity for achievement in the science and art of pharmacy as evidenced by character, personality and leadership."[1] Provisions are made for graduate students and faculty to join, with the intent that chapters encourage all levels of membership.
Scholarships
The Society seeks to encourage research in pharmacy. In 1972 it established a first-year graduate scholarship. In 1992, the first-year graduate scholarship was awarded in conjunction with the American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) Board of Grants. This scholarship is awarded, on a competitive basis, to a student in the final year of professional studies or to a member who has completed professional studies. Only members of the Rho Chi Society who enter graduate programs in accredited schools/colleges of pharmacy leading to the Ph.D. degree are eligible to win. In 2003 a similar post-doctoral clinical research scholarship was established and is likewise administered by the Rho Chi Scholarship Committee. This Scholarship is awarded to a Rho Chi member entering the second year of fellowship training.[2]
In addition to these, small cash awards are presented to chapters who are selected in the annual Chapter Awards Program, based upon competitive theme entries suggested each year by the Society's Executive Council and/or sustained activities of the chapter.[2]
Publications
From 1933-1993, the Society published its annual report, "The Report of Rho Chi", containing complete accounts of the activities of the Executive Council, the National Office, and local chapters. It distributed the Report in print versions to both collegiate and honorary members. Although the Report of Rho Chi is no longer printed, the content is nonetheless published through the Society's website, www.rhochi.org.
A historical study, called "The Rho Chi Society", written by Roy A. Bowers and David L. Cowen, was first issued by the Society in 1955 in cooperation with the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy. This work was first published in the American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education (1955;19:244-284). A fifth revision, edited by Robert A. Buerki, published in 1992 is the current edition. Rho Chi plans to publish future editions through the Society's website.
The Society maintains a website with information for chapters, alumni and institutions. Members and guests are welcome to visit the site or to contact the National Office through e-mail for further information.[2]
Traditions
The badge of the Rho Chi Society is an old-fashioned key, incorporating the Greek Letters ΡΧ in a specific configuration, raised on an oblong eight-sided base.[1] The Greek letters, "Rho" and "Chi," were originally selected because, when placed in the relative position in which they are found on the Rho Chi Key, they are emblematic of the prescription sign. The colors attached to the seal of membership were chosen to indicate the royalty of purple and the loyalty of white. The eight sides of the Key, although they have had different meanings in the past, now represent chemistry, biology, physiology, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, and the biomedical, social/administrative, and clinical sciences.[2]
The motto of Rho Chi is "To advance practice and pharmaceutical sciences through the encouragement and recognition of sound scholarship."[2]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VI-95. ISBN 978-0963715906.
- ^ a b c d e f g Rho Chi Bylaws and History, from the ΡΧ National Website, accessed 11 June 2014
- ^ Henderson, Metta Lou (1998). "Zada Mary Cooper: Grand and Glorious Lady of Pharmacy". Pharmacy in History. 40 (2/3). American Institute of the History of Pharmacy: 80. JSTOR 41111877.
Zada Cooper served as chairman of the 1920–1921 ACPF Committee which was 'authorized to organize an honorary pharmaceutical society.' All articles refer to her interest in the organization and 'pushing' until it became a reality. As a result, she is considered one of the founders.
References
- "Rho Chi National Bylaws, 2010" (PDF). Rho Chi Fraternity. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2014-06-12.