Alpha Gamma Sigma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.G.S. Advisors

Susan McMurray & Pamela Watkins

(310) 233-4245

 

 

We encourage all students to come and join us!

For FALL 2012 we will meet Fridays at

2 p.m. in room NEA 209

 

Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society is the only state wide community college honor scholarship society whose purpose is fostering, promoting, maintaining and recognizing scholarship.
Alpha Gamma Sigma active members participate in on and off campus community service events such as annual blood drives, clothing drives, charity fundraisers, walk-a-thons, teacher appreciation, and volunteer tutor services.

Benefits of Joining AGS
There are several benefits to becoming a member of AGS. One of the most important benefits is scholarships. If you are an active member of AGS you are eligible to apply for AGS scholarships at the end of each school year. Some universities have special scholarships set aside specifically for AGS members.
When you become a member of AGS your permanent record will carry the notation that you are an AGS member. Other benefits include the honor of wearing a gold stole at the graduation ceremony, the opportunity to attend local and state-wide conferences and conventions, work with advisors and faculty, and to work with scholarly peers.
Most importantly AGS membership provides a means for students to participate in rewarding community service activities

 

MEMBERSHIP
Whether you are an active or inactive member of AGS, your record will have the same AGS notation. However, only active members may apply for scholarships. The main difference between active and inactive membership is that active members of AGS must complete a specific number of service hours called service points. Service points may be obtained by participating in the activities held by AGS, any school event and outside service. MANY students feel that there is not enough time to participate in an organization. However, getting into a good educational programs require dedication to your school and usually the activities you involve yourself in are factors for admission.
We help you achieve a higher standard for yourself and help immerse you in the world of community involvement.

 

Active Membership:

Cum. GPA of 3.0 or higher. ASO Membership Must have 6 units and completed at least 12 units. $10.00 fee per semester. Regular general meeting attendance. At least 30 service points. Fill out application and return to Box 31 along with money order, unofficial transcripts (available online), and proof of A.S.O. membership.

 

Inactive Membership:

Cum. GPA of 3.0 or higher ASO Membership Must have 6 units and completed at least 12 units. $20.00 fee per semester. High School students must have a 3.5 GPA and a member of CSF to be eligible before 12 units. Fill out application and return to Box 31 along with money order, unofficial transcripts (available online), and proof of A.S.O. membership.

 

Scholarships Available

Service Scholarships: Ed Walsh Scholarship: Ed Walsh was an AGS advisor from the Allan Hancock Chapter. It was his idea to give the first scholarships to students who have given outstanding service to their colleges, their chapters, and to their local communities. When Ed died in 1970, the State Advisory Board chose to honor him by presenting these service awards in his name. Charles Bell Scholarship: Charles Bell has served as an advisor to the students of Cabrillo College for over 30 years. As the secretary to the State Advisory Board, he works diligently to keep chapters informed of their status. He also is the expert on the corporation's Standing Rules and Bylaws, and is a trained parliamentarian. In 1998, the State Advisory Board chose to honor him by presenting the top service awards in his name. Academic Scholarships: Kathleen D. Loly Scholarship: Kathleen D. Loly was born in England and emigrated to the United States. She taught Spanish at Pasadena City College, and was one of the original founders of Alpha Gamma Sigma in 1926, which explains why Pasadena is the Alpha Chapter of AGS. Prior to her death in 1958, she bequeathed her estate to AGS, and these monies formed the basis of a stock portfolio from which AGS derives its ability to award scholarships each year. Under the able management of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Board of Trustees, the fund has now grown to over $250,000.00. Virginia Coffey Scholarship: For many years, the Zeta Chapter of Mt. San Antonio College was privileged to have Virginia Coffey as an advisor. Virginia was a counselor, beloved by students and faculty alike for her quick wit, storytelling, and sincere caring. During her lifetime it was her pleasure to present a scholarship to the two top Loly candidates. Today, we remember her as we continue that tradition by presenting the two scholarships in her honor. Local Club Scholarships: Alpha Psi Chapter Scholarship at Los Angeles Harbor College: The local club chapter decides and votes on how much will be spent (usually between $50.00-$250.00) for scholarships and how those scholarships will be divided. The club advisor chooses a team of readers who examine each club member's application and make their decisions.

 

History of A.G.S.

In 1925, Dr. William T. Boyce conceived the idea of promoting a statewide junior college honor scholarship society. He saw it as an intellectual stimulus, comparable to Phi Beta Kappa in the higher colleges. Louis E. Plummer and they both made efforts supported him with other individual administrators to consider the proposal. He emphasized specific advantages in the plan as follows: 1. It would be an incentive to study and strive for scholastic honor. 2. It would be an inter-junior college enterprise in scholastic achievement. 3. It would commend the junior colleges to the higher education institutions. 4. It would add luster to commencement exercises to recognize the graduating student who had qualified for membership. Dr. William T. Boyce was the head administrator of Fullerton Community Junior College in 1925. He was chiefly responsible for the formation of the California statewide community college honor society that eventually became the Alpha Gamma Sigma that we know today. Its main purpose is to foster, promote, maintain and recognize academic excellence through scholarships among its members; develop programs offering cultural, social and enrichment activities as part of the total college experience. His proposal was heartily endorsed and he was asked to formulate a plan and present it for adoption by all the junior colleges in California. The response was approval; adoption and then the formation of chapters began. According to Dr. Boyce, the original constitution of the society was adopted in 1926. In May of the same year, a special committee was appointed which included Miss Kathleen D. Loly who is responsible for the Kathleen D. Loly Scholarship we know today. The committee was given full authority to select the design for the pin. The advisory board was to consist of the faculty advisors of the local honor societies that had met the minimum requirements provided for by the constitution and had been formally notified to that effect by the committee. During the first year, chapters were established at Bakersfield, Chaffey, Fullerton, Pasadena, Santa Ana, Santa Maria and San Bernardino. The next year it brought in Citrus, Sacramento, Compton, Glendale, Long Beach, Taft and Pomona. These fifteen chapters were invited to send representatives to the first meeting of the advisory board on November 24, 1928 in Pasadena. Initially, the pin was a flat one piece gold pin with an open book and a blazing torch on a shield with the word “California” at the top, the words “Honor Society” across the book, and the letters “JC” at the bottom. Soon after that, a request came from the students that a Greek letter name be adopted instead. Accordingly, in 1932 a committee consisting of Dr. Grace Baumgartner, Miss Kathleen Loly and Dr. Albert Williams selected the motto: “ Add to good character, knowledge and judgment”. They took the three Greek words “Arête”, “Gnosis”, and “Sophyrosyne” as embodying the meaning of the motto, and then chose the initial letters of those three words Alpha Gamma Sigma as the name of the society. The design of the pin was then changed to include the Greek letters !'G. At the second spring convention at San Bernardino on April 2, 1932, chapter names were drawn by lot and Pasadena, much to their satisfaction, drew the coveted alpha slip. Since that time AGS has undergone quite a number of changes. Now, each year there are two conferences that AGS club members may attend. These are held in hotels and conference sites that afford the club members some time away from the campus and a time to bond with one another. At the Fall Regional Conference, there will be small group mini-seminars to student encouragement, advice and scholastic and personal enrichment. There will also be the opportunity to vote for state student leaders. During the Spring Conference the excitement is high because this is the time when state scholarships are given out, many mini-seminars are presented and contests for club websites, name badges and newsletters are conducted. Students must be present at the conference to receive a scholarship.

 

     Don't Forget To Join LAHC's   

           AGS Facebook Page!