EIU Department of Geology and Geography

Student Organizations

The Department of Geology and Geography has organizations in which students and faculty can interact in a setting outside of the regular classroom. Two of these organizations, Gamma Theta Upsilon and Sigma Gamma Epsilon, are national honor societies for different areas of the geographic and geologic sciences. The third organization, the Geoscience Club is open to all university members who are interested in the Earth Sciences. The Geography Club is also open to all university members who are interested in Geography.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) - Earth Science Honor Society

Sigma Gamma Epsilon is a national honor society for earth scientists. Founded in 1915, SGE promotes the scholastic, scientific, and professional advancement of its members and the extension of relations of friendship and assistance among colleges and universities which are devoted to the advancement of the Earth Sciences. The current headquarters of SGE are located at the University of Northern Iowa. For more information, please contact the club advisor, Dr. Diane Burns (dmburns@eiu.edu).

Geoscience Club

The Geoscience Club is an informal club run by geology and geography majors and sponsors the Introductory Earth Science Fieldtrip each semester. The club also has get togethers and parties throughout the year for special occasions (e.g., Halloween, Thanksgiving Potluck, Christmas, etc.). Members of the club also act as tutors for any geology or geography students, either in the introductory level courses and even in upper division courses.

Geography Club / Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU) - Geography Honor Society

The Geography Club is open to anyone with an interest in geography. Housed within the Club is Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), an international honor society for Geographers. Founded in 1931 at Illinois State, the purpose of the organization is to strengthen the profession and discipline of Geography, promote student research, and to encourage members to apply their knowledge in the service of humankind. Rho Chapter at EIU is proud to have been personally founded by Dr. Robert Buzzard, Eastern's 3rd President and the original founder of the international GTU organization. Students must complete 3 courses in Geography with a GPA of 3.3 or better to be inducted, but need not major in the subject. For more information, please contact the club advisor, Dr. David Viertel (dviertel@eiu.edu).