by Damien Alarcon
Editor in Chief
Alpha Delta, the University of La Verne chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, had its first initiation ceremony recognizing students who have completed their first year of college with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Qualifying students must also have full-time status.
The ceremony was held March 16 in La Fetra Hall. Twenty-six students were honored for their academic achievements. This is the second honor society to be established at ULV. The other, Alpha Chi, is a society which recognizes juniors and seniors who have maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Dr. Dorena Wright, associate professor of English, and Linda Gordon, assistant professor of business, are the faculty sponsors of the organization.
The administrative sponsor, Dr. Barbara Jefferson, who is assistant dean of the School of Business and Global Studies, founded the group in hopes of establishing an official chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta at ULV by next spring.
Alpha Lambda Delta was founded at the University of Illinois in 1924. According to the society’s constitution, its purpose is “to encourage superior academic achievement … to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.”
The society gives awards, scholarships, fellowships and loans to its members, whether it be for undergraduate, graduate or professional study. Over 560,000 students have been initiated since its beginning in 1924.
Dr. Jefferson hopes to send a member of the newly-initiated class as a delegate to represent the ULV chapter at the national convention of Alpha Lambda Delta.
“In order to be recognized as a chapter, they asked us to do some organizational work,” said Dr. Jefferson. “We are just at the beginning stages of getting a national chapter.”
Aside from selecting a name, the chapter must prepare a constitution, identify financial resources for installation and chapter activities, prepare and submit a petition to the national organization, host the installation officer once the chapter is recognized, hold at least three meetings a year including installation and elect a slate of officers.
Once a chapter is installed, all members of the local chapter, regardless of class rank, may be installed as charter members.
Of those recognized at the ceremony were sophomores Stephanie Adams, Allison Alastuey, Veronica Arvizu, Vicki Bevard, Pamela Brownlee, Thomas Candelaria, Tammie Davis, Linda Garett, Alina Gheta, Enrique Gutiérrez, Richard Herrin, Kathy Hine, Teresa Hokanson, Chris Huson, Lauren Larsen, Ross Mathews, Arthur Moreau Jr., John Nigbor, Jose Orozco, Jocelyn Pozas, Douglas Quinn, Karen Rafalski, Jacqueline Reaser, Alisha Rosas, April Shenkman, Carole Timberlake and Jenifer Wilson.
