Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD) is a democratic, non-secret organization dedicated to the scientific study of social phenomena for the promotion of human welfare. Election to AKD has always been and will continue to be without regard to race, sex, creed, or national origin. Therefore, no oaths, vows, or pledges are required.
A Brief History
Dr. Emory S. Bogardus founded AKD in 1920, in the department of sociology, at the University of Southern California. He proposed the formation of a society in which the students might become acquainted with each other's research projects and where they might meet informally with the whole staff of the department for suggestions and criticisms. Dr. Bogardus proposed the name, Alpha Kappa Delta as an international society of scholars dedicated to the ideal of Anthropon (human kind) Katamanthanein (to investigate throughly) Diakonesian (for the purpose of service) "to investigate humanity for the purpose of service."
The Purpose
The purpose of AKD is to "promote an interest in the study of sociology, research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement in the human condition."
University Eligibility
Today there are AKD chapters in all 50 states and several other countries. Chapters in each state are named according to the Greek alphabet in the order of their founding. The name of the Ohio Northern chapter of AKD is Chi of Ohio. To make an application for an AKD chapter a university must have at least two full-time teachers of sociology, who are engaged in social research, and offer 30 semester hours of courses in sociology. New chapters must be approved by three-fourths of the council.
Member Eligibility
1. Must be a declared sociology major.
2. Must be at least a junior.
3. Must have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
4. Must have maintained a GPA of 3.25 in sociology.
5. Must have completed at least four sociology courses at Ohio Northern University prior to initiation.
6. A one-time initiation fee of $40.00
