Establishment of New Chapters

With this issue of the journal Theta Alpha Kappa welcomes two new chapters.

Alpha Xi Delta Chapter, Leavell College

The Alpha Xi Delta Chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa has been established at Leavell College in New Orleans, Louisiana. Leavell College offers several majors involving religious studies and theology. The Chapter Representative is Dr. Thomas G. Doughty, Jr.

Alpha Xi Epsilon Chapter, St. Joseph’s College

The Alpha Xi Epsilon Chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa has been established at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine. St. Joseph’s College was founded in 1912 and offers several degree programs in theology, including a Bachelor’s degree and four Master’s degrees. The Chapter Representative is Dr. Steven L. Bridge.

Undergraduate Achievement Awards

Each local chapter of Theta Alpha Kappa may honor a student every other year with the Undergraduate Achievement Award. The $100 award is funded by the national TAK office and is granted to a student selected by the local chapter representative. Please go to the website for criteria and instructions on how to arrange receipt of the cash award. This year (2022-23), chapters whose chapter numbers end in the digits 5–9 may select an honoree (your chapter number is found in the chapter directory on our website).

2023 Albert Clark Awards

Theta Alpha Kappa offers congratulations to the 2023 Albert Clark Award winners and runners up. This year’s winners are as follows:

Undergraduate Submissions

  • First Place: Madelyn Starr, “Material Memories: Narratives of the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”

  • Second Place: Dzung Than, “The Femininity of Religious Practices in Buddhism and Catholicism in Vietnam”

Graduate Submissions

  • First Place: Kimberly Fromkin, “Divine Sound: A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon in the Aftermath of 9/11”

  • Second Place (tie): Spencer Danley, “The Great Divorce of the Canaanite Woman in the Gospel of Matthew”

  • Second Place (tie): Kayla Ray, “The Glorious Magdalene”

These essays will appear in future issues of JTAK with other high scoring submissions.

“Start Up” Grant

The national board of TAK offers a “start-up” grant of $200 for any region of the AAR or SBL that organizes a section at its annual meeting for the presentations of papers by chapter members. A $100 award should be given for the best paper presented, and the remaining $100 may be used at the discretion of the region to help organize the session. In subsequent years, the honor society will continue to offer $100 for the best paper presented at a TAK session. Participants should also be encouraged to submit their papers for the Albert Clark Award and possible publication in this journal.

Procedures for Ordering TAK Certificates and Regalia

The Board of Directors of Theta Alpha Kappa has an agreement with Kenneth E. Jernigan & Associates to collect inductee information and fees and to issue the induction certificates to the Chapter Representative. Chapter Representatives should refer to the link on the TAK website for detailed information about recording and processing this information. Please let us know of any problems. Send comments to theta_alpha_kappa_inquiries@ThetaAlphaKappa.org.