Theta Alpha Kappa

Founded in 1976 at Manhattan College in Riverdale (the Bronx) New York, Theta Alpha Kappa is the only national honor society serving the needs of those involved in the study of religion and/or theology at both the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate levels of higher education. Honoring excellence in these academic fields is its primary purpose, and it currently hosts over 240 local chapters throughout the United States at institutions both large and small, public and private. 

Most of TAK's activities are carried on by its local chapters, but TAK's national Board of Directors sponsors a number of programs and prizes-especially in relation to its journal, The Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa; and the Kathleen Connolly-Weinert Leader of the Year award. TAK also sponsors an Annual Meeting open to all members.

PUBLICATIONS

Theta Alpha Kappa publishes a refereed, scholarly journal titled the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, with two issues appearing each year. This journal exists primarily to honor and disseminate student academic work in religious studies or theology, as exemplified by the Albert Clark awards for both undergraduate and graduate papers.

The journal editor receives submissions for possible publication on an on-going basis -- whether or not in competition for the Clark awards, and whether or not a current student.

While submissions for possible publication are preferred from TAK members or students and faculty of member chaptered institutions, other types of submissions may be entertained.

Subscriptions to the journal are automatic to active members, and to special life-time members who have served on the national Board of Directors. All inquiries about the journal or subscribing to it should be directed to the Editor whose name and address are: Dr. Anthony Tambasco, Department of Theology, Georgetown University, Box 571135, Washington, DC  20057-1135

MEMBERSHIP

Undergraduate students matriculated in institutions with a TAK chapter must have completed at least three semesters (five quarters) at that institution and at least twelve semester credits (eighteen quarter credits) in courses representing these disciplines; have attained a GPA of at least 3.5 (or B+) in such courses and a 3.0 (B) in their total program; and been ranked (if appropriate) in the upper 35% of their class. 

Graduate students must have completed at least one half of the residency requirements for their current degree program at a qualified, chaptered institution, and attained at least a GPA of 3.5 (B+) in that work. 

Honorary inductees/members include a) those holding faculty rank for at least one semester (two quarters) in these disciplines at an institution with a local chapter, and b) other individuals who, at the discretion of the local chapter, are deemed to have established a record of excellence in their own right, and shown consistent support and encouragement of these academic disciplines.

OFFICERS OF TAK

PRESIDENT
Richard B. Pilgrim, Dept. of Religious Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY  13244-1170  (Phone: 315-443-5726; Fax: 315-443-3958; E-mail: rbpilgri@cas.syr.edu)

VICE PRESIDENT
Patricia A. Polvanich, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA  92110  (Phone: 619-260-4055; Fax: 619-260-2260; E-mail: pplov@pwa.acusd.edu)

SECRETARY
William J. Collinge, Dept. of Theology, Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, MD  21727  (Phone: 301-447-5370; Fax: 301-447-5862; E-mail: collinge@msmary.edu)

TREASURER
Paul Duff, Dept. of Religion, George Washington University, Washington, DC  20052  (Phone: 202-994-6363; Fax: 202-994-9379, E-mail: duff@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu or duff@gwu.edu)

REPRESENTATIVES AT LARGE
John Copenhaver, Dept. of Religion/Philosophy, Shenandoah University, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA  22601-5195   (Phone: 540-665-4561; Fax: 540-665-4609; E-mail: jcopenha@su.edu) 

Frederick Denny, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO  80309-0292  (Phone: 303-492-6358; Fax: 303-492-4416; E-mail: frederick.denny@colorado.edu)

Vivian-Lee Nyitray, Dept. of Religious Studies, University of California, Riverside, CA  92521  (Phone: 909-787-2234; Fax: 909-787-3324; E-mail: vnyitray@citrus.ucr.edu)

JTAK EDITOR
Dr. Leo Madden, Dept. of Theology, Arts & Ideas, Ohio Dominican University, 1216 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43219 (Phone: 614-251-4720; E-mail: maddenl@ohiodominican.edu)

CONTACT

For further information on TAK, please contact:

  William J. Collinge
  Department of Theology
  Mount St. Mary's College
  Emmitsburg, MD  21727

  (301) 447-6122 x4885 phone
  (301) 447-5755 fax
  E-mail: collinge@msmary.edu

Please visit the TAK web site at http://www.ThetaAlphaKappa.org.