Chicago resident Elizabeth Japczyk is inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa honor society

2014 May 8

Elizabeth Japczyk of Chicago was recently inducted into the Lewis University Chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology. New initiates include Natalie Asp, Elizabeth Japczyk, Sherry Rochford and Michelle Staie.

The new members are recognized for their excellence in religious and theological studies. As members, they are now eligible to participate in the society by submitting papers to the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa and the Albert Clark Award and by attending the local, regional, and national meetings.

Induction requires nomination by a local chapter, and to be eligible, students must have completed at least three semesters at an institution having a local chapter in good standing, completed a minimum of 12 semester credits in courses representing religious studies or theological studies, attained a GPA of at least 3.5 in such courses, attained at least a 3.0 GPA in their total academic program and been ranked in at least the upper 35 percent of their class in general scholarship in the time of induction.

In 1976, Professor Albert Clark established Theta Alpha Kappa at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York for the purpose of recognizing the academic achievements of religion and theology students. Lewis University's Brother Ray McManaman, FSC, professor of theology, was among the founding members.

Today, Theta Alpha Kappa has 267 active chapters in in four-year educational institutions ranging from small religiously affiliated colleges to large public research institutions throughout the United States. It is the only national honor society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence in baccalaureate, post-baccalaureate students and scholars in the fields of Religious Studies and Theology. Inducting approximately 1,500 new members annually, Theta Alpha Kappa is an affiliated society of the American Academy of Religion and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. 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.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,600 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.