Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education (ΚΔΠ) is an international honor society dedicated to fostering excellence in education. Founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, it is recognized as one of the earliest discipline-specific honor societies in education.

History

Kappa Delta Pi evolved from the Illinois Education Club, which was established by Dr. William Begley in 1909. The organization was officially registered in Illinois as Kappa Delta Pi on June 8, 1911, with the aim of providing a fellowship for education students and promoting educational excellence. The first chapter, known as Beta, was set up at the University of Colorado in 1912, followed by others at the University of Oklahoma in 1915 and the University of Texas in 1916.

In February 1924, the Laureate Chapter was created to honor individuals with exceptional contributions to professional education, with John Dewey as its first inductee. By 1930, Kappa Delta Pi had established 62 chapters, and it adopted the name "Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society" on October 4, 1932. The society's publication, The Educational Forum, commenced in 1936, serving as a scholarly outlet for educational discourse.

As of 2025, Kappa Delta Pi boasts over 20,000 active members and more than 1.2 million lifetime initiates across over 860 chapters worldwide.

Symbols

Kappa Delta Pi's name is derived from Greek terms meaning "knowledge," "duty," and "power." The organization’s motto is "Knowledge, Duty, Power," reflecting its commitment to academic achievement and professionalism. Its core values, also known as pillars, include Community, Belonging, Leadership, and Celebration. The society’s colors are purple and gold, and its emblem features the Greek letters ΚΔΠ along with a key shaped like a scroll.

Membership

Eligibility for membership is selective, limited to the top twenty percent of students entering the education field. Undergraduate members must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, while graduate students are required to achieve a GPA of 3.50 or above. The Laureate Chapter is restricted to sixty living members at any given time, emphasizing the prestige associated with this honor society.

Activities

Local chapters engage members through networking opportunities, leadership development, community service, and professional growth initiatives. Members also partake in professional development resources available through the organization's platforms. Kappa Delta Pi actively seeks contributions to support educational initiatives for both the society and its members.

Governance

The society is governed by an executive council made up of nine elected members, whose positions are filled through elections held by chapter delegates at the national convention occurring every two years. Kappa Delta Pi’s headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Notable Members

Kappa Delta Pi has been honored by the involvement of several notable figures in education and scholarship, including:

• Michael Apple, educational theorist
• J. William Fulbright, U.S. Senator
• Howard Gardner, developmental psychologist
• Jonathan Kozol, education activist

These members have contributed significantly to various fields and continue to inspire future educators.

Kappa Delta Pi's ongoing efforts underscore its dedication to enhancing education through scholarly excellence, community engagement, and advocacy within the teaching profession.