Phi Lambda Sigma

Summary

Phi Lambda Sigma (ΦΛΣ), also known as the National Pharmacy Leadership Society, is a North American college honor society for pharmacy students. It was founded at Auburn University in March 1965.

Phi Lambda Sigma
ΦΛΣ
FoundedMarch 1965; 59 years ago (1965-03)
Auburn University
TypeHonor
AffiliationACHS
EmphasisPharmacy
ScopeInternational
Colors  Green and   gold
PublicationThe Laurel
Chapters138
Members30,000 lifetime
Headquarters40 Bailey Lane
Uniontown, Pennsylvania 15401
United States
Websitephilambdasigma.org

History edit

Charlie Thomas, a student at the Auburn University School of Pharmacy, founded Phi Lambda Sigma in March 1965, with the support of the faculty.[1][2] The mission of Phi Lambda Sigma is to support pharmacy leadership commitment by recognizing leaders and fostering leadership development.[3] After two years of probation, Phi Lambda Sigma received its charter from the Auburn University Student Senate on October 3, 1967.[2][4]

It was incorporated in Lee County, Alabama, on June 28, 1968, as Phi Lambda Sigma National Fraternity.[2][4] The name Phi Lambda Sigma was registered with the U.S. Bureau of Patents and Copyrights in 1968.[2][4] The society also worked with Balfour Company to design its official key in 1968.[2]

The society became national in 1971 with the chartering of the Beta chapter at Samford University.[5] Other chapters followed throughout the 1970s, including Mercer University, the University of Georgia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of South Carolina.[6] In 1980, the society announced its plans for national expansion.[6]

As of February 2018, a Phi Lambda Sigma Chapter had chapters at 125 of the 138 American schools and colleges of pharmacy.[2] It had Phi Lambda Sigma had initiated 30,000 members.[7] The society was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) in 2018.[7]

Symbols edit

Phi Lambda Sigma's insignia is a key pin, which has a mortar and pestle and the Greek letters ΦΛΣ, surrounded by a laurel wreath.[8] The society's colors are green and gold.[8] Its publication is the The Laurel.[7]

Activities edit

The society hosts an annual leadership summit that provides a certificate and five hours of continuing education units.[9] The summit is open to non-members.[10] Phil Lambda Sigma annually awards scholarships to its student members, including the Charles C. Thomas Scholarship, the Kathlene A. Hawkins Memorial Travel Award, and the PLS-AFPE First Year Graduate Scholarship.[11][12][13] The society also presents a variety annual awards, including:

  • Albert B. Prescot Leadership Award[14]
  • Alumni of the Year Award[15]
  • Charles Thomas Leadership Challenge[16]
  • Chapter Development Award[17]
  • Chapter Member of the Year Award[18]
  • Chapter of the Year Award[19]
  • Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award[20]
  • Mary L. Euler Lifetime Leadership Award (aka Proctor & Gamble National Leader Award)[21][4]

Membership edit

Phi Lambda Sigma has student, alumni, faculty, and honorary members.[7][4] Student members must complete at least one year of coursework toward a pharmacy degree with a 2.50 GPA.[7] In addition, potential student members must be committed to pharmacy leadership and be "be of high moral and ethical character".[7] Faculty and honorary members are nominated for the dedication, leadership, and service in the field of pharmacy.[7] Members are peer-selected by current members of the society.[7][22] Because Phi Lambda Sigma is an honorary professional organization, its members are allowed to join other fraternal and pharmacy organizations.[4]

Chapters edit

Phi Lambda Sigma chapters has chartered 134 chapters in North America, as of 2024.[5]

Notable members edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fifty years of leadership". www.pharmacist.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Purpose and History". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  3. ^ "Mission". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Phi Lambda Sigma National Pharmacy Leadership Society (brochure)" (PDF). Charleston, West Virginia: Phi Lambda Sigma. c. 2010. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Chapter Listings and Region Map". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  6. ^ a b "AU Honorary Hopes to Grow". The Opelika-Auburn News. Opelika, Alabama. 1980-12-14. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-03-24 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Phi Lambda Sigma Honor Society- Pharmacy - An ACHS Member Society". Association of College Honor Societies. March 21, 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ a b "Brand Use Policy". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  9. ^ "2024 PLS Leadership Summit". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  10. ^ "Leadership Summit 2024 | FAQ". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  11. ^ "Kathlene A. Hawkins Memorial Travel Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  12. ^ "Charles C. Thomas Scholarship". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  13. ^ "PLS-AFPE First Year Graduate Scholarship". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  14. ^ "Albert B. Prescott Leadership Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  15. ^ "Alumni of the Year Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  16. ^ "Charles C. Thomas Leadership Challenge". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  17. ^ "Chapter Development Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  18. ^ "Chapter Member of the Year Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  19. ^ "Chapter of the Year Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  20. ^ "Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  21. ^ "Mary L. Euler Lifetime Leadership Award". Phi Lambda Sigma. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  22. ^ "Local Pharmacy Students Recognized For Achievement". The Webster Progress-Times. Eupora, Mississippi. 2017-05-17. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-03-24 – via Newspapers.com.

External links edit

  • Official website