Founded in 1976 by Professor Albert Clark at Manhattan College, Theta Alpha Kappa (TAK) seeks to recognize the academic achievements of students in religious studies. Theta Alpha Kappa is a related scholarly organization of the American Academy of Religion, an affiliate organization of the Society of Biblical Literature, and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
Students seeking induction into the honors society must satisfy the following requirements:
- a declared major or minor in religious studies
- a 3.5 GPA in religious studies coursework in at least 4 RLST courses
- an overall GPA of 3.3 or greater at that date
Once students have met the above requirements, they will pay a $30 induction fee and receive a certificate of lifetime membership at a formal induction ceremony with the Department of Religious Studies. Induction ceremonies happen every fall for all students eligible by September of the academic year. TAK student members at Kenyon will be gifted red honor cords to wear during their senior graduation and will have their names printed in the honors section of the Commencement ceremony program.
For questions about TAK at Kenyon or induction fee scholarships, please contact the chapter representative Krista Dalton, assistant professor of religious studies.
Awards
In addition to encouraging the activities of local chapters, Theta Alpha Kappa maintains a vigorous national program of scholarship awards and fellowship competitions.
Theta Alpha Kappa Undergraduate Achievement Award
One student in the department who demonstrates exceptional academic excellence will be nominated by the Department of Religious Studies each year and receive a $100 prize.
The Clark Award
This student paper competition through the Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa offers annual prizes and the publication of outstanding undergraduate and graduate student papers. The Clark Award winner will receive a $500 award and the runner-up will receive a $250 award. The winners and runners-up will have their essays published in the peer-reviewed journal.
Theta Alpha Kappa Graduate Fellowship Awards
Each year TAK awards fellowships to three TAK members towards graduate programs in religious studies or theology. Applicants must be entering the first year of their graduate program and must have obtained their undergraduate degree within the past three years from an institution with a TAK chapter in which they were inducted as a member.
Krista Dalton
