History and Purposes
In 1976, Brother Albert Clark, F.S.C., established Theta Alpha Kappa at Manhattan College in Riverdale (the Bronx), New York for the purpose of recognizing the academic achievements of religion and theology students. Since then, Theta Alpha Kappa has grown to more than two hundred chapters nationally in four-year educational institutions ranging from small religiously affiliated colleges to large public research institutions. It is the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate students and in scholars in the fields of Religious Studies and Theology.
Induction requires nomination by a local chapter and, to be eligible, students must have a 3.5 GPA in Religious Studies and/or Theology and a 3.0 GPA overall. Residency, class ranking, and unit requirements must also be met.
In addition to encouraging the activities of local chapters, Theta Alpha Kappa maintains a vigorous national program of scholarship awards and fellowship competitions; its primary publication, the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, offers an annual prize and the publication of outstanding student papers.
Theta Alpha Kappa is an affiliated society of the American Academy of Religion and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. TAK’s annual meeting is help in conjunction with the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion. TAK is a not-for-profit educational organization of the State of New York. For additional information, visit the website at www.ThetaAlphaKappa.net.
St. John’s University
Alpha Alpha Chapter
St. John’s University has been a member of TAK since its inception. TAK currently sponsors several academic gatherings featuring invited speakers, colloquia and symposia on topics related to the study of theology and religion. There are also several social gatherings during the school year. For more information or to submit an application, please contact the Department of Theology located in B-26, St. John’s Hall.
Eligibility
Eligible St. John’s students who are registered majors or minors in Theology and Religious Studies are invited to join St. John's chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa (TAK), the national honor society in theology and religious studies. St. John’s Alpha Alpha chapter of TAK is one of the oldest TAK chapters in the country.
Specific requirements for chapter membership, set by the national society, are as follows:
- For undergrads: 3 completed semesters in residence here at St. John’s; for grads: ½ of their residency requirement; (note: if you were a theology major as an undergraduate and are now a graduate student at SJU, then semesters in residence at other institutions would count toward this requirement);
- A minimum of 12 credits earned in theology and religious studies;
- Cumulative GPAs of 3.5 in theology/religious studies AND 3.0 overall; and,
- Class rank in the upper 35%.
To find out more, visit the national TAK Web site or contact St. John’s TAK Co-Moderators Patrick Flanagan, C.M. or Dr. Habibeh Rahim. After determining eligibility, you can enroll in TAK directly through the web site after receiving authorization and a chapter code.
2012-2013 Chapter Members
Slounedy Colin-Pierre Paul Morisi
slounedy.colin@gmail.com pmorisi@gmail.com
Paige Miller Christian Rada
paige.miller09@my.stjohns.edu christian.rada06@my.stjohns.edu
Theresa Joy Ann Uy Brendan Hickey
theresajoyann.uy11@my.stjohns.edu brendan.hickey08@stjohns.edu