Purpose

The purpose of Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the national Pharmacy Leadership Society, is to promote the development of leadership qualities, especially among pharmacy students. By peer recognition, the Society encourages participation in all pharmacy activities. Since membership crosses fraternal and organizational lines, the Society does not compete with other pharmacy organizations.

Phi Lambda Sigma honors leadership. Members are selected by peer recognition. No greater honor can be bestowed upon an individual than to be recognized as a leader by one’s peers. Such recognition instills and enhances self-confidence, encourages the less active student to a more active role and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy.

History

Phi Lambda Sigma was organized in March, 1965 by then student Charlie Thomas on the campus of Auburn University, with the approval of the faculty of the School of Pharmacy. Following a two-year probationary period, the Auburn University Student Senate granted a charter to the Society on October 3, 1967. The Phi Lambda Sigma National Fraternity was legally incorporated in Lee County, Alabama on June 28, 1968. That same year, the name “Phi Lambda Sigma” was registered with the U.S. Bureau of Patents and Copyrights in Washington, D.C., and an official key was designed by the Balfour Company. The National Office was moved from Auburn University to Atlanta, Georgia in 1992. In 1996, Phi Lambda Sigma contracted with the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy for administration of the Society, and the National Office was relocated from Atlanta to the campus of the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1999 the Society relocated to the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy where it makes its current home

Past and Present Members

National Office

• Homepage
• Newsletter
• Awards and Scholarships

2006 Activities

Phi Lambda Sigma completed the following activities and community service:

• April 2006 – College Etiquette Luncheon presented by Kate Stanton, OU Student Affairs
• May 2006 – Baptist Children’s Home “Unbirthday party” celebration
• November 2006 - Regional Food Bank Volunteers
• November 2006 – Care Package Drive for the Troops Overseas

Membership

Membership in Phi Lambda Sigma consists of four categories: student, faculty, alumni and honorary. For a student to be eligible for membership, he or she shall be of high moral and ethical character, shall have successfully completed at least one professional year of scholastic work applicable toward a recognized pharmacy degree, and shall have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 grading scale. Any exception must comply with the Constitution and Bylaws of Phi Lambda Sigma. Nomination for all membership categories emanates from the present members of the Society. Prospective members are nominated on the basis of their demonstration of dedication, service and leadership in the advancement of pharmacy. By promoting such recognition, Phi Lambda Sigma provides an incentive for the development of future leadership potential for the profession.

Guidelines for Prospective Members

• Approximately 10% of each class are inducted in PLS
• Students become eligible for PLS in their P2 year, although P3 students are also encouraged to apply.
• Application for membership occurs on a yearly basis.  Applications for membership are available early in the fall semester of each year.  The invitation to apply is announced via email, although current members also personally recruit and nominate peers.  Therefore applicants can self nominate or be nominated by peers.  However, a fully completed application (activity history and essays) is required for official consideration.  Nominated students with incomplete or missing applications will not be considered.
• Please note that acceptance into PLS is contingent upon presence at the induction ceremony.  Failure to attend induction could rescind your acceptance into PLS.  Initiation occurs late in the fall semester every year.
• There are two fees required for new members accepted into PLS:  a $60 initiation fee and $15 chapter dues fee.  Dues become $10 each year following the initiation year. 
• PLS meetings are held at least once a month during the fall and spring semester (approximately 8 meetings per year).  Members are expected to attend all meetings.  Missing more than 1 meeting per semester could result in dismissal from PLS.
• Applicants will receive written notification of acceptance or denial into PLS within 1 month of application deadline.  Please contact Chapter President or Chapter Advisors, Dr. Melissa Medina or Dr. Michelle  Condren, with any questions.

Guidelines for Current Members

• PLS meetings are held at least once a month during the fall and spring semester (approximately 8 meetings per year).  Members are expected to attend all meetings.  Missing more than 1 meeting per semester could result in dismissal from PLS (P4 students are encouraged to attend if available; the attendance rule does not apply to P4 students).
• Annual PLS dues are $10 each year following the initiation year.

PLS Purpose and Mission of Phi Lambda Sigma

• The purpose of Phi Lambda Sigma, also known as the national Pharmacy Leadership Society, is to promote the development of leadership qualities, especially among pharmacy students. By peer recognition, the Society encourages participation in all pharmacy activities.
• Phi Lambda Sigma honors leadership. Members are selected by peer recognition. No greater honor can be bestowed upon an individual than to be recognized as a leader by one’s peers. Such recognition instills and enhances self-confidence, encourages the less active student to a more active role and promotes greater effort toward the advancement of pharmacy.

PLS Alpha Epsilon Chapter Goal

1. Promote leadership within the PLS Alpha Epsilon chapter members and OUHSC College of Pharmacy students

PLS Alpha Epsilon Chapter Specific Objectives

1. Develop leadership skills of PLS members through monthly leadership seminars from campus, university, college, and PLS COP alumni leaders
2. Offer at least one leadership-related seminar per year to the COP students, faculty and staff
3. Complete two activities per year that are delivered to the College of Pharmacy and/or OUHSC Campus (one current member project in the fall and one new member project in the spring)
4. Complete at least one fundraising project per year with proceeds donated to either PLS member voted charity or College of Pharmacy Students Executive Council designated charity.

PLS Alpha Epsilon Chapter Activities

1. Fall 2007 - Bedlam t-shirt sale. Proceeds to benefit Make a Wish Foundation

PLS Alpha Epsilon Chapter Monthly Leadership Seminars

Date	Speaker	Seminar Title
January 2008	Dr. Melissa Medina OUHSC COP Assistant Dean for Assessment and Evaluation	Frames:  Ways to View and Enhance Your Leadership Skills
February 2008	Rex Urice OUHSC COP Director of Development	TBA
March 2008	Dr. Chris Howard OU Vice President for Strategic & Leadership Initiatives, Director, Honors College Leadership Center, President's Associates Presidential Professor	TBA
April 2008	Dr. Mark Britton OUHSC COP Associate  Dean for Academic Affairs	TBA