[1][2] Its founder was student Lori Beth Young (Griggs), with the assistance of communications study professor Steve Smith.

[2] Its purpose was to recognize scholastic achievement in communications studies and to promote and encourage academic conversations between students and faculty.

[2] Lambda Pi Eta became a part of the National Communication Association in 1988, and the official honor society of the NCA in July 1995.

[2] Its national headquarters is at 1765 N Street NW in Washington, D.C.[3][1] The name Lambda Pi Eta represents Aristotle's three types of proofs of persuasion: Logos (Lambda) meaning logic, Pathos (Pi) relating to emotion, and Ethos (Eta) defined as character credibility and ethics.

[4][1] In order to become a member of Lambda Pi Eta, communications students must rank in the top 35 percent of their class, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA after completing sixty semester hours.