Международное географическое общество Gamma Theta Upsilon

International geography honor society

Gamma Theta Upsilon (ΓΘΥ or GTU) is an international honor society in geography. It was established in 1928 as a professional fraternity at Illinois State University and became international in 1969. Gamma Theta Upsilon is a member of Association of College Honor Societies.

On May 15, 1928, a local professional fraternity by the name of Gamma Theta Upsilon was formed at Illinois State University under the guidance of Dr. R. G. Buzzard. Before that, it was the Geography Club at Illinois State Normal University. After three years, letters were sent out to other geography clubs suggesting the formation of a national fraternity. On May 15, 1931, the organization, consisting of four chapters, was announced. On March 5, 1936, Gamma Theta Upsilon was incorporated, then with ten chapters, as a professional fraternity in geography under the laws of Illinois.

Local Chapters are chartered by Gamma Theta Upsilon at colleges and universities. A petition for a new chapter must be submitted by the faculty member who will serve as chapter sponsor or by the department chair and a letter of support from the department chair (if not the petitioner) or an appropriate administrator is required. As of December 2012, there are 312 chartered chapters and 163 active chapters.

The GTU funds the Visiting Geographical Scientist Program, which is administered by the Association of American Geographers. The program allows chapters to host a distinguished geographer who presents a lecture on a topic in geography and meets with faculty, students, and administrators.