The discipline of Political Science was founded in 1880 as a doctoral program at Columbia University. The founding was part of a larger movement in the social sciences toward specialization. During the same period the American Historical Association, the American Economics Association, and the American Sociological Association began.
Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honorary, was founded at the University of Texas in 1920. It is recognized today as being a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
The department at St. Bonaventure was admitted to the honorary in 1994. Acceptance into Pi Sigma Alpha remains the highest honor for an undergraduate Political Science major.
An incoming Political Science major at St. Bonaventure should have as his or her primary goal acceptance into Pi Sigma Alpha. In order to be admitted the student must achieve a 3.0 overall grade point average, a 3.25 in the major, and a solid performance in the Senior Capstone course. On the evening before graduation the department sponsors a dinner for the honorees and their family and friends. Induction into Pi Sigma Alpha takes place after dinner.
2008 Pi Sigma Alpha Inductees
Ryan Shannon, Rachelle Hoeflschweiger, Kathleen Schaffner