Alpha Gamma, a local recognition fraternity, was founded at Dickinson College in 1928. It promoted cooperation among journalistic organizations. In 1948, the national honorary society Pi Delta Epsilon succeeded both Alpha Gamma and the College's second journalism fraternity, Alpha Sigma Gamma.
A chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a national honorary society recognizing the talents and abilities of men and women in the field of drama, was established at Dickinson College in 1949. Alpha Psi Omega replaced Tau Delta Pi, a local honorary society that had been founded in 1922. The society remained active at Dickinson for nearly forty years before phasing out of existence in 1987.
A local honorary society recognizing outstanding work in publications and journalism, Alpha Sigma Gamma was founded at Dickinson College in 1932. In 1948, the national honorary society Pi Delta Epsilon succeeded both Alpha Sigma Gamma and Alpha Gamma, a local journalism fraternity established in 1928.
Eta Sigma Phi is the national honor society for students of Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies. The society was founded in 1914 at the University of Chicago under the name Phi Sigma, and became a national society in 1924 under its current name.
The Dickinson College chapter was founded in April 1964.
The honorary fraternity of Phi Beta Kappa was organized as a student literary society at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, on December 5, 1776. Although the approach of General Cornwallis forced William and Mary to close its doors for a time, by 1779 the group granted charters for the establishment of chapters at Yale and Harvard where the Alpha of Connecticut was created in 1780 and the Alpha of Massachusetts in 1781. These chapters flourished and began to issue other charters in turn. The celebration of the Harvard chapter's centennial led to the formation of the National Council of the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa in 1883, creating a central authority for the 107 year-old order with exclusive power to issue charters.
On September 5, 1886, at its next triennial meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY, the National Council authorized establishment of a chapter at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Dickinson's charter members met April 13th, 1887, preceding the chapter at Lafayette by two days and that of Rochester by five days. Although the margin was close, Dickinson fortuitously became not only the Alpha of Pennsylvania but also the holder of the first charter issued by the United Chapters.
Election to Phi Beta Kappa is based upon overall academic excellence and is determined by the resident members of the chapter. Membership in the fraternity remains the highest academic honor a Dickinson student may attain.
Pi Delta Phi is a national honorary for students who have earned scholastic honors in French. The chapter at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania selects its members from the junior and senior classes, and was founded in 1962.
Sigma Delta Pi is a national honorary society recognizing scholarship in Spanish language and culture. A chapter of Sigma Delta Pi was established at Dickinson College in 1962.
A local sophomore honorary for men, Skitch-A-Genee was established in 1908. It was last mentioned in the 1924 Microcosm.