Ceremony Honors Exemplary Students

Cake, candles and congratulations were all part of a May 30 ceremony at University College. That’s when the newest members of the Alpha Gamma Lambda chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa international two-year honor society had its formal induction ceremony.

“This is a day to recognize students who earned a 3.6 or better GPA,” said Phi Theta Kappa advisor Sue Bourke. “Many of you are not only going to school, but you’re working and raising families. You should be very proud of all that you’ve accomplished.”

Eighteen University College students will receive certificates that honor them as members of Phi Theta Kappa. But not all of the students were able to attend the ceremony. That’s because some of these students live hundreds of miles away from the university, but are still earning their UC degree. Advisor Marjorie Pollitt explains that seven of the new members are also the first graduates of the Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC), the national distance learning network founded by University College, the College of Education and RISE Learning Solutions. The program is celebrating its first group of graduates this year, as 11 students earn their associate’s degree. Some members of the ECLC who were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa lived as far away as Missouri and Illinois.

Scholarship is one of four key hallmarks considered as students are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa. The society also emphasizes leadership, service and fellowship. “So admission to Phi Theta Kappa is based not just on a 3.6 GPA but also on students’ showing themselves to be extraordinary contributors to this community of scholars,” said University College Dean John Bryan. “ But this is only a threshold for the future – a challenge to continue to be active in influencing your fellow students in the university community.”

“This is truly a remarkable feat, and all of us know the amount of hard work you put into this achievement,” said Associate Dean Pat Kumpf. “Our wish for you is to continue to be the good student you know that you are.”

This year’s Phi Theta Kappa inductees are Matt Adams, Kwaku Aduama-Larbi, Dawn Dooley, Andrea Hines, Mike Holiday, Christina Klein, Sara Pierce, Justine Romero, Edith Stoops, Tyler Wright and Elizabeth Zilberberg. ECLC inductees are Mona Dixon, Annette Gamble, Sherry Melby, Stephanie Papageorge, Kelly Phelan, Jamie Van Fossen and Pamela Wood.