Furman University - Undergraduate Evening Studies
Alpha Sigma Lambda
Gamma Theta Chapter
"First in Scholarship and Leadership."
In the winter of 1945-46, Dr. Rollin B. Posey, Dean of University College at Northwestern University, realized that a measure of encouragement and recognition accorded an evening student's scholastic achievement at an early stage of his/her program could provide the thrust of desire to achieve his/her educational objectives. Dr. Posey founded a society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, to honor those dedicated adult students who, while adroitly handling their life responsibilities, achieve and maintain high scholastic standards.
Today there are over 300 chartered chapters throughout the United States. The camaraderie, advantages and benefits of Alpha Sigma Lambda are its own best incentive for being. The Society not only brings together outstanding students and faculty, but also offers each individual an exposure to interests other than his/her own.
For the nontraditional student, the Society stands as an inspiration for continuing scholastic growth, and is a builder of pride through recognition. For the chapter institution, the Society serves as a vehicle for imparting appreciation for adult students' academic achievements and contributions. Also, the Society has been found to aid immensely in the recruitment and retention of nontraditional/adult students.
To this day Alpha Sigma Lambda is not only the oldest, but also the largest, chapter-based honor society for full- and part-time students.
Alpha Sigma Lambda Criteria:
Membership shall comprise chapters of colleges and universities which offer undergraduate degrees and which are accredited by the regional associations.* The National standards for student membership in Alpha Sigma Lambda are as follows:
1. Members must be matriculated and have a minimum of 24 graded semester hours or the equivalent** and shall be matriculated students in an undergraduate degree program. These college credits must not include transfer credits. All credits must be taken through and graded at the matriculating institution and must be included in the student's cumulative GPA.
2. At least 12 credits of a student's total credits should be earned in courses in Liberal Arts/Sciences. If the student has not earned 12 Liberal Arts/Sciences credits within the 24 credits completed at the matriculating institution, accepted transfer courses may be used to meet this requirement.
3. Members shall be selected only from the highest 20 percent of the class who have 24 graded credits and are matriculated in an undergraduate degree program.
4. Those selected must have a minimum grade point index of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent. The cumulative scholastic record of the student as interpreted by the institution where membership is to be conferred shall be the basis for computing scholastic eligibility.
*Students chosen are also evaluated on their contributions to the UES program, to Furman University and to the Greenville community.
Candidate selection occurs in the spring semester and is followed by a formal initiation ceremony. New initiates are eligible for ASL scholarship funds in the year they are inducted and are honored at the UES graduation banquet held at the end of the spring semester each year.
For additional information on Furman's chapter of ASL, please contact chapter advisor Brett Barclay at
brett.barclay@furmanl.edu.