Gamma Theta Upsilon ( or GTU) is an international honor society in geography. It was established in 1928 as a professional fraternity at Illinois State University and became international in 1969. Gamma Theta Upsilon is a member of Association of College Honor Societies.
History
On May 15, 1928, a local professional fraternity by the name of Gamma Theta Upsilon was formed at Illinois State University under the guidance of Dr. R. G. Buzzard. Before that, it was the Geography Club at Illinois State Normal University. After three years, letters were sent out to other geography clubs suggesting the formation of a national fraternity.
On May 15, 1931, the organization, consisting of four chapters, was announced. On March 5, 1936, Gamma Theta Upsilon was incorporated, then with ten chapters, as a professional fraternity in geography under the laws of Illinois. As of 2012, it had initiated 62,000 members.
Activities
thumb|GTU outreach coordinator Dr. Randy Bertolas at the Gamma Theta Upsilon Booth at the 2025 AAG annual conference in Detroit Michigan.
Gamma Theta Upsilon publishes the Geographical Bulletin, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal twice a year. The program allows chapters to host a distinguished geographer who presents a lecture on a topic in geography and meets with faculty, students, and administrators.