It has come to my attention that a very reduced number of people are aware of the existence of the Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society here in Glion.
To be honest, if I hadn’t been gawking over some curriculums from fellow Glion alumni who happened to be members, I wouldn’t know about it either. Therefore, as a recent member, I feel it is my duty to inform you all of the wonderful honor it is to be a part of it and the responsibilities that come with it.
Please allow me to retell the story of the society, how you can become part of it, and what your duties as an active member would be.
What is it?
The year is 1978. Karol Wojtyła is elected Pope in the Vatican and Charlie Chaplin’s coffin is mysteriously stolen from its resting places in Vevey, Switzerland. Meanwhile, in another part of the world, a group of students from the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics were busy with matters of their own. They noticed that there was no current society out there to recognize the work of outstanding hospitality students. After carefully investigating how to approach this situation, that same group of students decided to take matters into their own hands by founding the first Eta Sigma Delta chapter. Today, with over 90 active chapters over the world, the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Society (ESD) continues to grow and recruit hoteliers who distinguish themselves from other by taking a step further into success.
How can I apply?
Since we’re talking about a member’s-only club, rules for applying may be quite demanding (for some anyway). Any interested student, alumni, graduate student, and honorary may apply, but the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) and ESD asks that you fulfill the following requirements:
For undergraduate students:
- be enrolled in an institution that belongs to International CHRIE
- have completed fifty percent (50%) of the credit hours required for graduation
- have officially declared as a hospitality management major (or related field)
- have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in a 4.0 system or its equivalent in another grading system; and
- agree to uphold the values of excellence, leadership, creativity, service and ethics
In Glion, students are chosen to become part of the Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society according to their semester 6 average. You will have a meeting with the Faculty Adviser to clear up any doubts about the process and go over the requirements listed above. The application is to be submitted with a one-time initiation fee, a recommendation letter, and will be processed in approximately three weeks’ time.
I’m in. Now what?
Congratulations! You made it. The initiation ceremony will take place soon and will include a small introduction from the Chapter President followed by a pledge to uphold the Five Points of Honor (excellence, leadership, creativity, service, and ethics) in life. The members are then to receive honor cords that are worn on graduation day, membership lapel pins for everyday show off and membership certificates , if you prove yourself academically worthy during the following semester as well.
As Uncle Ben told Peter Parker once, “With great power comes great responsibility”. Part of the duties of an ESD member involve engaging in all kinds of different activities that not only work as a communication medium but also as a career development center for students. Our mission for the semester is to organize tutorials of a range of different subjects for students in semester 6. The objective is to aid the professor in reinforcing and clearing up any doubts and students might have for the topics they covered in class.
Being part of the society is not only an opportunity to help others but to become a part of an elite society recognized at a world-wide level which definitely will light up your resume and make for a conversation when job-hunting. Now that you know more about the ESD society, do you have what it takes to join us?
