Nu Rho Psi
| Nu Rho Psi | |
|---|---|
| ΝΡΨ | |
| Founded | April 28, 2006 United States |
| Type | Honor |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Neuroscience |
| Scope | National |
| Colors | Gold and Black |
| Symbol | Human brain |
| Publication | Nu Rho Psi News |
| Chapters | 98 |
| Members | 14,000+ lifetime |
| Nickname | NRP |
| Headquarters | c/o Dr. Michael Kerchner Dept. of Psychology Washington College 300 Washington Avenue Chestertown, Maryland 21620 United States |
| Website | nurhopsi |
Nu Rho Psi (ΝΡΨ or NRP) is an American honor society for neuroscience.[1] It was founded in 2006 by the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience and now an independent honor society. Nu Rho Psi is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in the state of Ohio.
History
Nu Rho Psi was founded on April 28, 2006, as an outgrowth of the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN).[2]: E9 It organizing committee included Joe Achor of Baylor University, Shubhik DebBurman of Lake Forest College, Jean Hardwick of Ithaca College, Andy Mickley of Baldwin Wallace University, Ilsun White of Morehead State University, and Eric Wiertelak of Macalester College.[2]: E9 [3]: 5 The committee created Nu Rho Psi's constitution and by-laws and suggested its insignia.[2]: E9
Nu Rho Psi, The National Honor Society in Neuroscience, was approved by the FUN Council in April 2006.[2]: E9 [3]: 5 Its purpose is to promote interest in neuroscience, recognize the academic achievement of students, promote career development, encourage community service, and promote interaction between neuroscience students, faculty, and professionals.[1] Mickley served as the society's first executive director.[2]: E9 [3]: 5
The first chapter was chartered at Baldwin Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University) on November 7, 2006.[2]: E9 This was followed by chapters at Baylor University in Dember 2006 and Macalester College in January 2007.[3]: 7 In its formative years, the society was governed by the FUN Council, but, as the society grew, FUN decided that Nu Rho Psi would be better served by its own separate council.[2]: E9 On February 7, 2011, Nu Rho Psi was incorporated in the state of Ohio.[2]: E9 : E9 [3]: 7 It became an independent tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] public charity on May 12, 2011.[2]: E9 : E9 [3]: 7 Its purpose is educational, charitable, scientific, and social.[4]
The first Nu Rho Psi national council was elected in 2011, with terms starting January 1, 2012.: E9 [3]: 7 Achor was its first president.: E9 [3]: 7 Between 2013 and 2016, 29 chapters were chartered.[3]: 9 By 2016, the society had grown to 58 chapters with more than 3,000 members.[3]: 9 Mickley retired as the society's executive director on November 13, 2016, and was replaced by Mike Kerchner of Washington College.[3]: 9
As of June 2025, it had chartered 98 chapters and had initiated more than 14,000 members.[5][6]
Symbols
The Greek letters ΝΡΨ (Nu Rho Psi) were selected to represent neuroscience.[1][2]: E10 The Greek letter Ν stands for nous meaning "mind". The letter Ρ stands for pueaoai, meaning, “to cure”. The letter Ψ stands for psyche, meaning “life.”[1][2]: E10
Members receive membership certificates and lapel pins. Graduating members may wear honor cords in society's colors, gold and black.[7] Its symbol is the human brain. Its publication is Nu Rho Psi News.[8]
Membership
Membership is by invitation and is open to undergraduate students who majoring or minoring in neuroscience and have completed at least three semesters with an overall 3.2 GPA and nine semester hours of neuroscience-related courses with a 3.5 GPA.[9] Graduate students with a concentration in neurology must have completed at least nine credit hours with a 3.5. GPA.[9] Nu Rho Psi is also open to qualifying neuroscience faculty and alumni of neuroscience programs.[9] Nu Rho Psi membership is for life.[9]
Activities
Nu Rho Psi offers competitive travel awards for members to attend and present their research at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.[10][2]: E11 Nu Rho Psi also offers competitive small grants to facilitate member's senior theses or summer research projects.[10][2]: E11 Nu Rho Psi mentors members through publications such as. The Nu Rho Psi Guide to Graduate School in Neuroscience.[11]
As documented in the Nu Rho Psi News, individual Nu Rho Psi chapters organize a variety of service and educational activities throughout the year. Regional vice-presidents provide leadership of the federation of chapters in the region where they reside and represent their region through service on the national council. They are also responsible for promoting Nu Rho Psi activities during the regional undergraduate neuroscience meetings, including the Midwest/Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Symposium in Neuroscience, NEURON (Northeast Under/graduate Research Organization for Neuroscience, SYNAPSE (Symposium for Young Neuroscientists and Professors of the SouthEast), and MIDBRAINS (Midwest Regional Neuroscience Conference).[12][13][14][15] Nu Rho Psi holds an annual National Membership meeting during the Society for Neuroscience conference.
Chapters
Following are the chapters of Nu Rho Psi.[5][6][16][17]
Governance
The society is managed by a member-elected national council consisting of student and faculty volunteers from many colleges and universities throughout the United States. Members of the national council are elected by the Nu Rho Psi membership. Its officers include president, immediate past president, secretary, treasurer, regional vice president Northeast, regional vice president Midwest, regional vice president South, regional vice president West, social media chair, executive director, and immediate past executive director. Its headquarters is based at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.[1]
Notable members
Notable honorary members include
- the 14th Dalai Lama (Macalester College)[2]: E9
- Stephen Ainlay (Union College)[67]
- Joanne Berger-Sweeney (Trinity College)[2]: E9 [67]
- Mitra Hartmann (Northwestern University)[67]
- Joseph E. LeDoux (Trinity College)[2]: E9 [67]
- Eric J. Nestler (Oberlin College)[2]: E9 [67]
- Bruce McEwen (Rockefeller University)[2]: E9 [67]
- Bennet Omalu (University of Evansville)[67]
- Philip Rubin (Trinity College)[67]
- Robert Sapolsky (Baldwin Wallace University)[2]: E9 [67]
- Larry Squire (University of California - San Diego)[2]: E9 [67]
References
- ^ a b c d e "About". Nu Rho Psi. 2017-11-14. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Hesp, Zoe C.; Cousens, Graham A.; Becker, Lora; Zee, Michele C.; Mickley, G. Andrew (Spring 2016). "Nu Rho Psi, The National Honor Society in Neuroscience: A decade of progress" (PDF). The Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education. 14 (2): E9–E12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Achor, Joe (June 28, 2016). Mickley, G. Andrew (ed.). "The History of Nu Rho Psi: The National Honor Society in Neuroscience" (PDF) (2nd ed.). Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Nu Rho Psi | Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience". Johns Hopkins University. 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b "Chapters". Nu Rho Psi. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b "Membership Directory January 2019 through June 30, 2025". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Honor Society Cord Colors | College and University". Senior Class Graduation Products. 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Kerchner, Michael T. (June 2018). "Notes from the desk of the Executive Director" (PDF). Nu Rho Psi News. 10 (1): 3.
- ^ a b c d e "Neuroscience National Honor Society". College of Arts & Sciences at Syracuse University. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b "Awards and Grants". Nu Rho Psi. 2017-11-19. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "NRP Guide to Graduate School in Neuroscience" (PDF). Nu Rho Psi, 2013.
- ^ "Midwest/Great Lakes Undergraduate Research Symposium in Neuroscience". mGluRs.
- ^ "NEURON Conference". Quinnipiac University. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "SYNAPSE – Symposium for Young Neuroscientists and Professors of the SouthEast". synapse.charleston.edu. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "About". MidBrains Conference. 2017-08-17. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Membership Directory". Nu Rho Psi. 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Cumulative Summary of Nu Rho Psi Chapter Activity Grants" (PDF). Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Kerchner, Michael (2021-04-29). "Welcome our Newest Chapters". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ a b Kerchner, Michael (2022-12-06). "Welcome our Newest Chapters". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi Honor Society | Integrative Neuroscience". Binghamton University. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "Chapter Activity Highlights" (PDF). Nu Rho Psi Newsletter 2019-2020: 6–7. January 2021.
- ^ a b c Kerchner, Michael (2018-03-05). "New Chapters". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Student Organizations | Neuroscience". Boston University. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Carnegie Mellon University Hosts Newest Chapter in National Neuroscience Honor Society". Carnegie Mellon University. January 13, 2017. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". Carthage College. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". Connecticut College. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". King Lab at Creighton University. 2019-08-27. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi People". Denison University. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Student Organizations | Neuroscience". DePaul University, Chicago. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ a b President, Michael Kerchner-Exec (2023-02-20). "Welcome or New Chapters". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Neuroscience Students Shine at Prestigious D.C. Conference". Emmanuel College. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". Emory University. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi | Panther Connect". Florida International University. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi Beta Chapter | Panther Involvement Network". Georgia State University. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Award Descriptions | Events". Gustavus Adolphus College. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b c Kerchner, Michael (2018-08-30). "Welcome our Three Newest Chapters!". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". Lake Forest College. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ a b c Kerchner, Michael (2018-07-12). "Welcome our Newest Chapters!". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ Kerchner, Michael (2019-01-29). "The First New Chapter in 2019 – Eta in GA". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ Nu Rho Psi- Gamma in Ohio
- ^ "College of Psychology debuts NSU chapter of Nu Rho Psi". Nova Southeastern University. 2019. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi | Neuroscience Major". Ohio State University. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". The Pioneer Valley Community Nu Rho Psi & Neuroscience Resource Website. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ Spring has been full of new chapters
- ^ "Student Life". Rhodes College. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Induction Ceremony for Neuroscience Honor Society | Saint Francis University". Saint Francis University. October 8, 2019. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ a b c Kerchner, Michael (2018-11-09). "SFN 2018 Welcome our Newest Chapters!". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Honors and Awards". St Marys College of Maryland - Modern Campus Catalog™. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi | Our Community". The University of the South. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". SUNY Geneseo. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ Kerchner, Michael (2019-09-29). "Welcome Epsilon in New York". Nu Rho Psi. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Trinity College Nu Rho Psi | Neuroscience". Trinity College. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi | NSCS Undergraduate Program". University of Arizona. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ a b c "Welcome to our Newest Chapters!". Nu Rho Psi. 2020-08-29. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi UGA Chapter welcomed new members | Neuroscience Ph.D. Program". University of Georgia. 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi | Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience |". University of Illinois Chicago. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "UI Launches New Chapter of Neuroscience Honor Society, Inducts 7 Students". The University of Iowa. March 30, 2020. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi - The National Honor Society in Neuroscience". University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Clubs and Organizations". University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi: National Honor Society in Neuroscience | Terp Link". University of Maryland, College Park. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi Honor Society". University of Nebraska Omaha. 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Honor Societies". University of Scranton. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Home". Nu Rho Psi Chapter at UVA. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "Nu Rho Psi". Ursinus College. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "About". Virginia Tech Nu Rho. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ "WSU Nu Rho Psi". Weber State University. Retrieved 2025-08-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Nu Rho Psi Honorary Chapter Members