A mix-up in paperwork meant a pleasant surprise recently for members of a University of Arkansas at Monticello honor society.

The UAM chapter of Phi Alpha Theta history honor society was informed by its national office that it has been selected to receive the National Best Chapter Award for 2008. The notification came after the chapter was told earlier that it had received honorable mention recognition. The award was presented based on new programs, service projects, the academic quality of its student membership, and activities completed during the previous academic year.

Phi Alpha Theta was founded at the University of Arkansas in 1921 and today has 839 chapters and over 275,000 members at colleges and universities across the country. Members must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and earn at least 12 credit hours in history.

The UAM chapter is one of the nation’s newest. Organized last year by Dr. Kyle Day, the chapter has 11 students and five faculty members.

“This is a great testament to the work of Dr. Kyle Day and the charter student members of our new chapter,” said Dr. Trey Berry, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “They were competing with chapters throughout the country at much larger schools with enrollments of 3,000-9,000 students.”

Last year, the new UAM chapter participated in an initiation session, study trips to Arkansas Post and Natchez, Mississippi, and they also sponsored a bake sale as a fund raiser. During the spring semester of 2009, UAM will host the state conference of Phi Alpha Theta.  This will mark the first time UAM has hosted this group.