Alpha Epsilon Delta
| Alpha Epsilon Delta | |
|---|---|
| ΑΕΔ | |
 | |
| Founded |
April 28, 1926 University of Alabama |
| Type | Professional |
| Motto | Truth I Pursue |
| Colors | Red, Violet |
| Flower | Red Rose |
| Publication | The Scalpel |
| Headquarters |
AED National Office TCU Box 298810 Fort Worth, Texas, USA |
| Homepage | http://www.aednational.tcu.edu/ |
Alpha Epsilon Delta (ΑΕΔ) is a U.S. health preprofessional honor society. The organization currently has more than 144,000 members within 186 chapters at universities throughout the United States, making it the world's largest Honor Society serving all students from different backgrounds in the pursuit of a career in healthcare.
History
On April 28, 1926, fifteen premedical students at the University of Alabama met with Dr. Jack Montgomery, premedical adviser and professor of organic chemistry, to formalize the organization of a new premedical honor society. Baylor University, Samford University, The University of Texas, and the University of South Carolina established chapters in 1928/29. At the first national convention at the University of Alabama on April 18, 1930, ten members representing five chapters and one petitioning group were in attendance. From these modest beginnings, Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) has today become the world's largest Honor Society exclusively serving premedical education, with a membership exceeding 144,000 in 186 chapters. In 1949, AED was incorporated in the State of Michigan. In February 1962, the Society was reincorporated in the District of Columbia as a nonprofit, educational organization.
Mission statement
"Alpha Epsilon Delta is the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society dedicated to the encouragement and recognition of excellence in preprofessional health scholarship, including medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and others. The Society welcomes ALL students engaged in the pursuit of a professional healthcare career. AED offers opportunities for intellectual and professional development, provides a forum for students with common interests, and extends a program of service to benefit the college/university community."
Membership
Membership is open to undergraduate students with a major interest in medicine and who meet the minimum requirements. Some chapters offer an Associate membership for those who have yet to meet these requirements.
- Achievement of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) science and overall GPA
- Complete at least three semesters (five quarters) of college credit/preprofessional health work
- Good standing with your University's chapter
- A certain number of volunteer hours may be required as well