Sociology Awards
Award for Social Activism
This award honors the spirit and memory of sociology graduate John H. Clemons and is given annually to the sociology major who best demonstrates the application of skills or knowledge acquired in the sociology program to improving the lives and well-being of individuals, groups or communities in need.
Sidney Meth Award
Established in 1968, this honor is awarded to the graduating sociology major with the highest overall cumulative grade point average.
Sociology Department Merit Award
This honor is awarded to the graduating sociology major with the highest grade point average in the major.
Sociology Organizations
Alpha Kappa Delta
AKD is the international sociology honor society. To qualify for membership in the Rider University Chapter (Epsilon of New Jersey), a student must have a 3.00 or better cumulative grade point average within the sociology major and overall. Members receive the Society’s journal Sociological Inquiry.
Pi Gamma Mu
The faculty sponsor of Pi Gamma Mu has designated that membership in the international honor society for social science is restricted to students at Rider University who: 1) have junior or senior standing; 2) are majors or minors in the social sciences (Sociology; Political Science; Criminal Justice; Anthropology; Psychology; Communication Studies; Global Studies and/or Social Work); 3) have a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 or higher both overall and in social science courses, and 4) no failures in a social science course. Membership in Pi Gamma Mu entitles students to a subscription to the journal Social Science, to scholarship aid, and to other benefits.
The Sociology Club
The Sociology Club is the student organization for sociology majors and minors that addresses their academic, career, and social concerns. It is funded by the Student Government Association. A faculty member from the Sociology Department serves as an advisor to the Club.
The Sociology Club provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop leadership skills. Sociology majors and minors work together to plan, organize, and sponsor activities such as the Annual Career Panel, resume workshops, lectures, movies, and informal social events. Recent Club field trips have included visits to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and tours of the murals of Trenton.