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In May 1976, Pi Chapter of the Lambda Sigma Society tapped its first members at Auburn University. Its immediate predecessor was Pi Chapter of the National Society of Cwens. The original group, which became Cwens, was a local organization called the Owls Honor Society. Owls was founded in 1940, to recognize scholastic ability and campus leadership among sophomore women. Owls Honor Society was patterned after the senior women's honor society, Cardinal Key. During the following years, Owls did many service and social projects for the University and the community.
Then, the Owls Honor Society petitioned the National Society of Cwens, a sophomore women's honor society, for membership and Mrs. Allene B. Swanson, Extension Chairwoman of Cwens, visited the campus to inspect the local honor society. Owls' petition to affiliate with Cwens was approved, and on May 18, 1957, Pi Chapter of Cwens was installed at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University). Forty-nine charter, alumni, and honorary members were initiated by Mrs. Mabel D. Angelo, National president of Cwens, and Mu Chapter, Eastern Kentucky State College. From 1957 to 1976, more than 600 women were tapped into Pi Chapter.
In March 1976, Pi Chapter voted to comply with the National Executive Board's decision to create a new national honor society for outstanding sophomore men and women out of the National Society of Cwens. After the farewell banquet for Cwens, Pi Chapter turned its attention to the newly-formed honor society. This new honor society was named Lambda Sigma, representing Leadership and Scholarship. The new members were tapped into Pi Chapter at a surprise breakfast. After an organizational meeting, Pi Chapter had its first initiation banquet. The first ever male to be President of Pi Chapter was subsequently installed along with the other officers.
Since 1976, under the unerring guidance of Dr. Joseph Kicklighter and Mrs. Gail McCullers , Pi Chapter has been a leading force in the national organization. With the longest streak among all chapters, Pi Chapter has been awarded Honor Chapter status every single year since Lambda Sigmas's inception in 1976. Supporting the national organization has always been a priority. Thus, Auburn always strives to donate the highest Diamond Level contribution to the national scholarship fund. In addition, Pi Chapter has always been well represented on the National Board. Auburn has provided three past and one current Student Representatives, who serve two year terms on the National Board, Kerry Bradley (1977-8), Mark Beasley (1983-4), Tad Lidikay (1987-8), and Ching-Wei Tzeng (1997- ). Pi Chapter alumnus Dr. Charlotte Davis served as National Executive Secretary. Currently, another alumnus Kay McClain serves as National Treasurer, and faculty member Dr. Joseph Kicklighter served as National Vice President.
Today, our chapter, aware of our predecessors' accomplishments, strives to carry on the Auburn Tradition of Excellence by always finding ways to improve our chapter. With service projects aimed toward freshmen, Project Uplift kids, senior citizens, needy families, United Way of Lee County, and other sectors of the Auburn area, we carry out our pledge to Service. With social events such as group volunteering, Welcome Back Mixers, and Halloween Parties we know how to have fun in the spirit of Fellowship. And through the years, the common bond in Pi Chapter is the membership. For only through the genuine commitment of Auburn's best-- its student leaders, dedicated to Leadership and Scholarship, can we uphold the lofty ideals of the Lambda Sigma National Sophomore Honor Society.