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On April 10, five University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) students were inducted into the Alpha Nu Zeta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta (PAT), the national history honor society. The induction ceremony was held at the Drew County Public Library.

The new members are Lillian Harris-Morphis, a senior from Lewisburg, Kentucky; Lilly McKee, a junior from Monticello, Arkansas; Rylee Meeks, a junior from Monticello, Arkansas; Noah Tatum, a senior from Crossett, Arkansas; and Jaden Wallace, a sophomore from Monticello, Arkansas.

Although the official induction occurred in April, all five students have actively participated in PAT activities throughout the academic year.

Harris-Morphis, who recently transferred to UAM, stated, “As a history major and a member of Phi Alpha Theta, I finally feel like I’m part of a community that supports my goals and inspires me to think bigger than ever before. These wonderful people have made UAM feel like home.” 

This year, the UAM chapter hosted movie nights and organized visits to regional historical sites, including Old Washington State Park. Members also engaged in community service. In February, they volunteered at the Southeast Arkansas History Day contest hosted at UAM, assisting in judging student projects and leading campus tours. In March, members helped install a pathway through the new Arkansas Heritage Garden in Monticello, Arkansas.

In recognition of these efforts, the Alpha Nu Zeta chapter received national recognition from the Phi Alpha Theta National Committee, earning an Honorable Mention for Division I in the 2024 Phi Alpha Theta Best Chapter competition. The award was based on the chapter’s digital scrapbook, which highlighted its academic initiatives and community outreach throughout the year.

Dr. Sharon Silzell, associate professor of history for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at UAM and advisor for the Alpha Nu Zeta chapter, praised the students, stating, “We’ve had an amazing group of members over the past few years who truly understand the importance of contributing, organizing and following through. I am proud, though not surprised, by their Honorable Mention award. This year’s inductees into Phi Alpha Theta are an incredibly energetic group who have already been active in planning and executing our events, especially for our service projects. Our upper-division students have set a strong example for the younger members, teaching them through action. One of the greatest rewards of advising Phi Alpha Theta is watching these students grow.”

According to its website, PAT’s “mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.”

For information about the UAM chapter of PAT or the UAM history program, contact Dr. Sharon Silzell at silzell@uamont.edu.