HISTORY OF THE GAMMA CHI CHAPTER OF ETA SIGMA GAMMA

In November 1996, the National Executive Committee of Eta Sigma Gamma (ESG), the National Professional Health Education Honorary, granted formal approval of the DPHS petition for the establishment of a chapter of ESG. On January 21, 1997, national ESG representatives presided at the initiation ceremonies to create the Gamma Chi chapter at Clemson University Eta Sigma Gamma was established nationally in 1967 to further the professional competence and dedication of individual members of the health education profession. The Greek letters Eta, Sigma, Gamma were chosen to represent the Greek equivalent of the letters H,S,C, the abbreviation for the term health sciences. Today there are 95 collegiate chapters of Eta Sigma Gamma.

The Gamma Chi chapter, housed in the DPHS, has grown steadily from 28 members in the fall of 1999 to a current membership of 71. Health Science majors must qualify for membership with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 60 or more accumulated credit hours. Before the 2004-2005 year, members were required to have only 30 credit hours, but due to increased interest in the chapter membership and the growing number of Health Science majors, the criteria of earned credit hours was raised from 30 to 60 hours.

Each year, ESG members at Clemson University have served the local community through volunteering in programs and agencies- including clothing drives, cancer fund-raising, teen pregnancy prevention, senior center activities and working in a free public health clinic. Each month, members also hear presentations for DPHS graduates and others working in the health field about their careers. Dr. Cheryl Dye has been the chapter facility sponsor since the fall of 1999.

• President - Lindsay Scott
• Vice President - John Carson
• Secretary - Catherine Brown
• Philanthropy - Lauren Colebank