Beta Alpha Sigma, an honor society for landscape architecture, allied arts, and urban planning at Michigan State University in the 1960s, inspired Sigma Lambda Alpha.[1] In 1976, the president of the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), professor R. E. Toth, had the idea of establishing a collegiate honor society for landscape architecture students.[1] The CELA executive board established Sigma Lambda Alpha was founded at University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on September 24, 1977.[2][3][1]
Wiliam H. Snyder of the University of Idaho was appointed the first executive secretary of Sigma Lambda Alpha and was charged with convening a task force to form the society.[1] Sigma Lambda Alpha was established as a scholastic honor society to recognize the academic achievements of landscape architecture students and help prepare them for their careers in landscape architecture.[4][1] The purpose of Sigma Lambda Alpha is "to encourage, recognize, and reward academic excellence in preparation for the profession of landscape architecture".[5] It places a strong emphasis on leadership and preserving the traditions of husbandry of the land.[5]
Sigma Lambda Alpha was admitted to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1983 and achieved full membership in 1986.[5] It was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Michigan on April 11, 1989.[6][1] However, it continues to pperate within CELA.[3][4]
As of 2011, the society had chartered 55 collegiate chapters in the United States, along with its Alpha Founders Chapter for distinguished and founding members.[1] It became international in 2014 with the chartering of a chapter at the University of Guelph in Canada.[7] Since 1977 the society has inducted 10,443 members. Its records from 1972 to 2007 are archived at the University of Idaho.[1]
The Greek letters Sigma, Lambda, and Alpha were selected to represent "Scholar, Landscape Architect".[7] Sigma Lambda Alpha's colors are gold and green.[3] Its mottos are “Scholar, architect of the land, embraces the whole of nature and art” and “Fit mankind to the earth and the earth to mankind.”[1]
The society provides an annual award for contributions to landscape architecture scholarship and historical literature.[8] Sigma Lambda Alpha awards scholarships to one undergraduate and one graduate student each year.[9][7][10] It also awards six travel grants annually to its members.[9][10]
Members include undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, and professionals.[5] Membership is open to landscape architecture undergraduate students with a 3.4 GPA and graduate students with a 3.5 GPA who have completed one-third of the degree requirements.[5] The society invites faculty, staff, and professionals to join as Honorary or Distinguished Members based on their accomplishments.[4][5]
^ abcAnson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VI-100-101. ISBN978-0963715906.
^ abcdefgAnson, Jack L. and Marchesani Jr. Robert F., eds. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20h edition. Indianapolis: Baird's Manual Foundation, 1991. p. VI-100 – VI-101. ISBN0-9637159-0-9