Alpha Omicron Chapter

The Department of French at UVA is affiliated with Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society. Founded at the University of California, Berkeley in 1906, Pi Delta Phi is the oldest national academic honor society for a foreign language in the United States. The aims of the Society are to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and Francophone literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to encourage and to stimulate French and francophone cultural activities. There are currently more than 380 chapters and over 75,000 members across the United States.

In order to be eligible for nomination, undergraduate students must be in their second year or higher, must have completed at least one semester of a 3000-level or higher course in French, and have a current minimum GPA of 3.0 in French and 3.0 overall. The eligibility requirements for graduate students are completion of 2 graduate courses in French (either here at UVA or in a program in which you were formerly enrolled), and minimum 3.5 GPA in graduate coursework. National dues for a lifetime membership are also required. As of Sept. 1 2019, the fee for a premium membership is  $45.00 p, for which students receive the Pi Delta Phi pin, certificate, and one set of graduation honor cords in blue, white and red.

Once inducted, members of Pi Delta Phi are eligible to apply for several generous scholarships for summer study in France and Québec. Complete scholarship information eligibility requirements see the link to the application at the end of this page.  Members may join the free national Facebook® fan page and Linkedin® group.

If you are eligible:

• “Click Here for the application, and send the completed form to Maggie Kirschner at mas3av@virginia.edu.  You will be notified by Ms. Kirschner when the application is processed. The check must be delivered to the French Department Office.  The French Department Business Manager will make arrangements with you as to where to bring your memberhip fee which must be either a personal check, money order or cashier check. The check must be made out to the University of Virginia for $45.00.  Cash is not accepted.  

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Pi Delta Phi Faculty Moderator, Professor Jennifer Tsien jst8e@virginia.edu.