Scholarship, leadership, and service — these are the three pillars that are the foundations for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

The SMU chapter of the NSCS was started three years ago, while the Society was founded in 1994 at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Its goals are to honor and inspire academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime.

It is the only national honors organization exclusively for college freshmen and sophomores. Students must be in the top 20 percent of their class and have a 3.4 GPA to have their name submitted to the NSCS board by Southern Methodist University.

Dean Dee Siscoe, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Student Life spoke at the induction of SMU’s 50 newest NSCS members.

She said “as an honor society, it is an excellent way to recognize students for their academic achievements while putting an emphasis on leadership and service.”

This year’s executive board includes Chapter President Javo Creixell, Executive Vice President Ben Ulrich, Vice President of Community Service Kara Maiella, Vice President of Planning for college success Sarah Allen, Treasurer and Security Nga Ho and Vice President of Public Relations Gregory Kitt.

The new inductees, many with parents in attendance, took an oath to continue their scholastic excellence be a committed leader.

Junior Nicole Roberts, a returning member, thought the NSCS “gives members increased opportunities to do community service” and said, “it is nice to be around people who are committed to the same ideals as you.”

Those in attendance were asked to bring canned goods with them to donate to a local charity.

On this year’s agenda Ulrich has planned many events for the members to participate in, such as working with the North Texas Food Bank, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and newly organized mentoring programs where members mentor and tutor students from high schools and middle schools around Dallas.

Members do not have a minimum or maximum time commitment in the organization, but they do have to put in what they want to get out of their time in the society.

Creixell is very excited about this year’s plans.

“I’m very proud of the work the executive board has accomplished so far.”

I am on fire for this program and for this year, and am looking forward to meeting all the new inductees.”

Members of the NCSC have opportunities for scholarship money, and career opportunities after graduation.

Many companies actively hire NSCS students from SMU.

Members said their organization is different from other organizations.

“We aren’t a stuffy academic organization like other honor society programs on this campus,” said Maiella, “We have fun while being extremely productive and actively involved in the community.”

The total National Society of Collegiate Scholars has grown to more then 350,00 lifetime members from colleges and universities around the country, is a non-profit organization and grows by more then 70,000 members a year.