Florida state University opens a new path for Hispanic students
in the United States. The creation of a Hispanic Honor Society at Florida
State University is providing to be a big success. The Society, which was
initiated five years ago and is under the advisement of the Dean of Undergraduate
Studies, has developed into a thriving organization.
The Oscar Arias Sanchez Hispanic Honor Society was formed in the fall
of 1992 to recognize academic excellence among students of Hispanic heritage.
it is a scholastic and leadership society that promotes participation in
other campus honor societies, and works with charitable organizations serving
Tallahassee and neighboring Florida communities. For example, the Society
works in cooperation with the W.E.//b. Dubois Honor Society, a similar organization
which merits academic achievement in the African-American student community.
In addition, our organization has consistently participated in service project
sponsored by university and local service agencies such as the Fourth Avenue
Cultural Enrichment Center, Habitat for Humanity and the Florida State University
Center for Civic Education.
Membership into the Oscar Arias Sanchez Hispanic Honor Society is granted
to those sophomores, juniors and transfer students of Hispanic heritage
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Alejandro Perez
who have attained a 3.0 grade point average or higher, and who have fulfilled
service project requirements. A member must attend a minimum of three meetings per semester. Every member is required to earn at least 14 points per consecutive semester in order to remain an active member.
Points are earned by participating in a variety of events that include community
service projects, seminars and social events.
To receive a membership pin,
one must earn 17 points per semester. A formal induction ceremony is conducted
every year during the spring semester. To be inducted, a member must earn
20 points per consecutive semester. At the time of induction, the inductee
is awarded a graduation stole which can be worn at graduation.
I transferred to Florida State University last year for Florida Atlantic
University. I am a senior with a dual major in multinational business and
marketing, scheduled to graduate in the spring. At the time I transferred,I
did not know that a Hispanic Honor Society existed until I arrived at the
campus. I immediately became involved with the groups and began participating
in its events. After two semesters and earning my points for induction,
I was nominated for presidency and was elected. |
"Being a member of the Society and participating
in its projects has given me leadership skills that I lacked. Unfortunately,
the Oscar Arias Sanchez Hispanic Honor Society is by itself in Florida.
Hispanic honor societies are not common, which I
believe is a detriment to Hispanic university students everywhere. This
is a great organization that every university should adopt and promote."
If you would like to become a member of our organization, start a chapter
at your institution or would like to receive more information, please contact
Florida State University's Hispanic/Latino Student Affairs office at (850)
644-7827, dean of Undergraduate Studies at (850) 644-2740 or Minority Academic
Programs office at (850) 644-0778.
Alejandro Perez is a senior and president of the Oscar Arias Sanchez
Hispanic Honor Society at Florida State University.
Taken from: Perez, A. (1998, January). A Thriving Hispanic Honor
Society At Florida State University. In The Voice of
Hispanic Higher Education. Vol.7, No 1. p. 6 |
