Pi Delta Society
The Pi Delta Society was established by faculty vote in 1922 to recognize Bluffton students who demonstrate high academic success. The Greek letters pi and delta are the first letters of each word in the Society's motto, πάντα δοκιμάζετε, which translates to, "put everything to the test."
These words appear in the apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter 5, verse 21. Paul is advising the Thessalonians that they should not dismiss proclamations and activities inspired by the Holy Spirit, nor should they take them as a given. They should test everything, keep what is good, and steer clear of everything that looks evil. Records of who might have suggested this motto are lost to history, but the motto aligns with how Bluffton inspires its students to pursue living in the global community.
Today, Pi Delta is an honorary scholastic society established to promote high standards of scholarship. Admission is by vote of the faculty from those seniors who, at the time of their graduation have met the following academic success criteria:
- Students who have completed 30 or more but less than 62 semester hours at Bluffton University at the time of graduation and have a GPA of 3.90 or better.
- Students who have completed 62 or more but less than 93 semester hours at Bluffton university at the time of graduation and have a GPA of 3.80 or better.
- Students who have completed 93 or more semester hours at Bluffton University at the time of graduation and have a GPA of 3.75 or better.
New inductees to the society are announced each spring during Bluffton University's academic awards forum and are presented with a pin bearing the society's logo.