Alpha Gamma Sigma (AGS) is the California State Community College Honor Society. It was founded by Dr. William T. Boyce, Head Administrator of Fullerton Junior College, in 1925. Its first members suggested adopting a Greek letter name as opposed to the somewhat cumbersome "California Junior College Honor Society." They then formed a committee which selected the motto "Add to good character, knowledge and judgment." Thus, the name Alpha Gamma Sigma: Alpha for arete meaning character; Gamma for gnosis meaning knowledge and Sigma for sophrosyne meaning good judgment.
Today, as in its beginning, AGS's purpose is to promote leadership, emphasize character and encourage good judgment; to foster, promote, maintain and recognize scholarship, nor as an end in itself, but as a means toward greater achievement.