Sigma Iota Rho

 

Beta Theta Chapter, Kansas State University

National Honorary Society in International Relations

 

SIR

 Purpose

"To promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of international studies, international relations, global studies, and  to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs."

 

History

Nationally

Sigma Iota Rho was founded in 1984 by the Dean of the School of International Service at American University to recognize outstanding students in International Relations. In 1983 the Dean observed during an induction ceremony for Pi Gamma Mu, the national political science honorary society, that a high proportion of new inductees were actually IR majors, hence the need for a new honorary society. By 1984, the first chapter of Sigma Iota Rho was officially recognized by American University. In 1985, the Dean took the idea to the International Studies Association annual meeting where it was decided that there was enough interest to take the idea back to college campuses and to report on the level of interest at the next meeting. In 1987, a formal organizational meeting was held in Washington, DC, where Dean Olson was elected the first Director of Sigma Iota Rho. Twenty-six colleges presented petitions for establishemnt of local chapters, and thus Sigma Iota Rho was born. At the present time there are approximately 52 chapters of Sigma Iota Rho at colleges and universities throughout the United States. 

The Naming of Sigma Iota Rho

The name of the honor society was carefully chosen by Professor Theodore Couloumbis to reflect characteristics which are realistically necessary for the study of international relations and to exemplify the qualities essential for the conduct of successful foreign policy.

Sigma stands for synesi, which stands for prudence.
Iota stands for ideosi, which stands for ideals.
Rho stands for romi, which stands for power.

 

SIR History at K-State

SIR has existed at Kansas State University since the spring of 2000.  In that time, the club has sponsored # of lectures including:  Martin Almada, Major John Nagl, and more.

Contacts

 To be added to our SIR listserv for more news, event and meeting announcements, and information, please contact Micaela Wood.

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Kansas State University

February 11, 2002