Lambda Pi Eta

Lambda Pi Eta is the national honorary society for undergraduate students in Communication who achieve excellence in their studies within the communication discipline. Its title is derived from Aristotle's three rhetorical proofs: Logos (logic), Pathos (emotion), and Ethos (character and credibility) that communication students learn about in their argumentation courses.

Lambda Pi Eta began in 1985, when students in the Department of Communication at the University of Arkansas created the first chapter. In 1995, the National Communication Association established Lambda Pi Eta as the official national communication honor society for undergraduates. A year later, Lambda Pi Eta was inducted into the Association of College Honor Societies. Our department adopted our own chapter in 2008, joining the over 500 Lambda Pi Eta chapters worldwide.

Lambda Pi Eta aims to:

• Recognize, foster, and reward outstanding scholastic achievement;
• Stimulate interest in the field of communication;
• Provide an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication;
• Promote and encourage professional development among communication majors;
• Establish and maintain close relationships and mutual understanding between faculty and students;
• Explore options for further graduate education.

Seniors will be invited for induction based on their overall record which must include a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, and a 3.25 in Communication major coursework.

For more information, please contact Professor Brian Quick, the chapter's faculty advisor:

Office: 3001 Lincoln Hall.Phone: 217-333-3617Email: bquick@illinois.edu

Departmental Distinction

This award recognizes outstanding academic achievement, and is given to those undergraduate students who have earned a cumulative GPA of a minimum 3.25 and a minimum 3.5 in major coursework, and who have also completed 12 hours of 400-level Communication coursework.

High Distinction

To graduate with high distinction in communication, students must complete the requirements for Department Distinction and have written an honors thesis directed by a faculty member in the department. The thesis is then submitted to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). The thesis format should comply with guidelines specified by LAS.

Convocation Speaker

We invite Communication seniors to audition to speak at the Department of Communication's convocation in May. Information about this opportunity is posted at the beginning of spring semester for graduating seniors.

Illinois Tradition Awards

In the Spring of 1984, the faculty of the Department of Communication voted to establish a program of annual awards to students. Conferred for the first time in 1985, these awards recognize distinguished achievement by undergraduate students, and emphasize the department’s commitment to encourage its students to seek excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service. In naming these awards, the faculty chose to honor persons who played especially important roles in building and perpetuating the tradition of leadership and excellence in teaching and research inherited by the present generation of students and faculty. Each award is named for a former member of the department’s faculty or staff, and the awards are known collectively as the Illinois Tradition Awards. The annual presentation of these awards recalls with gratitude and affection the contributions of our predecessors and expresses our commitment to building a future worthy of the foundation they laid. The Illinois Tradition Awards are made possible by contributions from alumni and friends of the department.

College Honors

There are several opportunities offered for students by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, such as Dean's List, James Scholar, Latin honors (at graduation). Students are invited to review the criteria and take advantage of these programs as appropriate.