PI GAMMA MU
International Honor Society in Social Sciences
Events Schedule
Houston Hall Coffee Hour September 25, 2008, 1:00-2:00 p.m., Stiteler Hall Conference Room The first chapter-sponsored activity for the school year, the Houston Hall Coffee Hour, will be held this coming Thursday. Arushi Sharma, B.A. 2008, Pi Gamma Mu 2008, will deliver a presentation on Highways and HIV: Strengthening India’s Road-Based AIDS Intervention Programs. Lunch will be served at this event. Annual Initiation Rites; Philippine Ambassador to U.S. is Speaker
April 27, 2008, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Hall of Flags, Houston Hall
The academic year culminates in formal ceremonies marking the induction of honor students in the social sciences as new members. His Excellency Willy C. Gaa, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States, will deliver the convocation address as guest of honor.
The ceremony includes a processional, a convocation address, musical selections, presentation of the Society's mission, history, symbols and ideals, and the awarding of membership credentials to newly initiated members. Reception for new members and their guests will follow the candlelight ceremony.
Orientation Session for New Members
April 9, 2008, 6:00-6:45 p..m., Annenberg School 110
Following the annual chapter lecture, new students will be welcomed by the Executive Council. A Powerpoint presentation on Pi Gamma Mu and a brief, Q and A period will follow.
During this session, new members will be briefed on the conduct of the Annual Induction ceremony scheduled for April 27, 2008.
The Edward B. Shils Memorial Lecture
April 9, 2008, 5:30-6:00 p.m., Annenberg School 110
The annual Edward B. Shils lecture is delivered by a distinguished scholar selected by the
Executive Council for interdisciplinary work in the social sciences.
The 2008 lecture will be delivered by Dr. Michael Delli Carpini, Dean of the Annenberg School of Communication, and entitled, Crossing Boundaries: Political Science, Communication, and Interdisciplinarity.
The Simon S. Kuznets Fellowship Hour
March 28, 2008, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
This event features a social scientist who will discuss his/her own research work with attention given to the opportunities and constraints arising from the adoption of 
interdisciplinary research methodologies and approaches. The Fellowship Hour allows Chapter members to gain insights from methods used in the social sciences.
Dr. Theodore G. Schurr, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology, and member of our chapter Executive Council, will speak at the next Fellowship Hour on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Studying Human Nature in Biological Anthropology.
Houston Hall Coffee Hour
February 27, 2008, 12-2 p.m.Stiteler Hall
The Houston Hall Coffee Hour was initiated in 1932 by Dr. Wilbur C. Plummer, then chapter president and professor of Economics. It seeks to promote interdisciplinary scholarship and cooperation in the social sciences by offering a forum for student members to present their finished and partially completed research papers and encourage their submission to peer-reviewed journals, including the International Social Science Review.
Rachel Conrad and Thomas Hou, both inducted by our chapter in 2007, will present their research papers at this Coffee Hour (please click on In the News).
Registration of Incoming Members
February 21, 22, 26, 2008 (all eligible students), McNeil Building
March 18, 19, 2008 (Wharton School and College of General Studies students), McNeil Building
Juniors, seniors and graduate students who have received invitations to join Pi
Gamma Mu should submit their application materials to any of our three chapter assistant treasurers, Nick Director, Cynthia Hardy, and Jing Jin (inset), during the dates listed in their invitation letters. Those who apply will be elected and inducted to life membership by the Executive Council in April.
Annual Session for Partner Organizations
October 25, 2007, 5:30-7 p.m, Civic House
This serves as a venue for our designated partner organizations to meet with our student members and discuss to volunteer opportunities that help develop their leadership and community service skills. Our partners are select, non-profit organizations that have a social service mission. These include the American Red Cross (Pi Gamma Mu's oldest partner organization), AchieveAbility, Big Brother/Big Sister of America, United Way, American Cancer Society, and Haddington Cobbs Creek CDC (please click on Partner Organizations).
Annual Student Fair
September 4, 2007, 12-4 p.m., Annenberg Plaza
Our chapter sponsors a booth at this annual fair to get new and returning Penn students acquainted with the objectives and work of Pi Gamma Mu on campus. Copies of Pi Gamma Mu leaflets, the International Social Science Review and the Society's Newsletter are available at the chapter booth if students wish to obtain further information about our Society.
No membership applications are offered or accepted at this fair.
Executive Council Meetings
September 2007-May 2008, Locations vary
Our chapter Executive Council meets en banc or in committees at least twice during each term to plan and sponsor chapter events and activities, address outstanding issues, and elect and initiate new members. The Council meets in various locations at Penn. A quorum is required in order to transact chapter business.
