Wayne State College will be hosting their semiannual Social Sciences Day on November 30 to honor students’ academic excellence.  

Social Sciences Day will consist of the best social sciences student being recognized for academic achievements and the initiation of those students into the honor society that corresponds with their major. Current officers of each honor society are also recognized for their service and continued academic success.  

Randy Bertolas, a geography professor at WSC and chair of the History, Politics, and Geography Department, said, “It is a day to honor the best students in the social science majors. It’s an afternoon to make some memories,” Randy Bertolas, a geography professor at WSC and chair of the History, Politics, and Geography Department, said. 

Social science is a broad term, but there are six different areas of study at WSC. Those include history, geography, politics, sociology, psychology, and criminal justice. Phi Alpha Theta, Gamma Theta Upsilon, Pi Gamma Theta, Alpha Kappa Delta, Psi Chi, and Alpha Phi Sigma are the respective honor societies.  

All six are joined together under Pi Gamma Mu, an umbrella honor society that promotes excellence in all social sciences. Bertolas is also the adviser for PGM. 

Social Sciences Day is sponsored by PGM, and students are encouraged to invite friends and family. To be inducted into any of the seven honor societies, a student must be in the top third of their area of study, successfully complete a certain number of classes and receive an invitation directly from one of the societies. A total of 26 students will be inducted into PGM this year, and each will be inducted into their specific societies.  

Bertolas has been the chair of the History, Politics, and Geography Department for 13 years through five three-year terms. He said there are always two Social Sciences Days per term, and the next one will be in April. That celebration will also recognize an outstanding student in each program area.  

Bertolas explained the weight of being in one of these honor societies. Once a student pays the lifetime membership fee, they will be able to put their involvement on any resume. “Employers want to know that you can work and play well with others,” Bertolas said. “These are recognized honor societies that are certified by the Association of College Honor Societies.” 

The Association of College Honor Societies is an organization that works with honor societies to promote excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and research.  

Social Sciences Day will begin at 4 p.m. in the Frey Conference Suite in the Kanter Student Center. For more information, go to the events page on the WSC website, or contact Randy Bertolas at [email protected].