From the Handbook of the United Chapters of Alpha Kappa Delta

The International Sociological Honor Society

"Alpha Kappa Delta had its specific beginning in the fall of 1920 in the department of sociology, University of Southern California, when the departmental chairman, Dr. EmoryS. Bogardus, proposed to the graduate students the formation of a society in which the students might become acquainted with each other's research projects and where they might meet informally with the whole staff of the department for suggestions and criticisms..."

"The name, Alpha Kappa Delta, was devised by Dr. Bogardus and adopted by the chapter members of the University of Southern California chapter. It represents the first letters of three Greek words: namely, anthropon (mankind), katamanthaneion (to investigate thoroughly or to conduct research), and diakonesein (for the purpose of service). The name, therefore, implies social research for the purpose of service." [From: "Brief Historyof Alpha Kappa Delta" T. Earl Sullenger, AKD Handbook]

Today, AKD is the international sociological honor society. We have thousands of members in over 400 chapters throughout the world, including two chapters in the Republic of China. We are also a member of ACHS, the national council of honor societies.

Membership in AKD is lifetime, although subscriptions ot the journal (Sociological Inquiry) are annual. AKD holds an annual meeting at the ASA meetings, with the time and place announced in the ASA program. Many regional sociological associations also hold AKD sessions for exchange of ideas and information.

The Jackson Chapter is designated as "Delta" and was formed in 1988.