News

Students initiated into honor society

Kelly Cooke was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society Nov. 18 at the Harris Art Gallery. The society initiates first year students who have succeeded in achieving high academic standing. / photo by Adam Omernik
Kelly Cooke was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society Nov. 18 at the Harris Art Gallery. The society initiates first year students who have succeeded in achieving high academic standing. / photo by Adam Omernik

Yelena Ovcharenko
Staff Writer

The Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society initiated 30 University of La Verne students on Nov. 18, at the Harris Art Gallery.

The honor society was designed to encourage academic excellence and exemplary behavior. It has a foundation rooted in honesty and integrity.

“The purpose of the society is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in their first year at institutions of higher education,” said Kathleen Lamkin, professor of musicology and faculty advisor for Alpha Lambda Delta.

As the night progressed the students awaiting initiation read their oaths in unison, promising to excel in education and to be leading examples for others. One by one they came forward to sign the honor society’s book and to receive their cords as Samantha Cook, Alpha Lambda Delta junior advisor, read off each name.

President Steve Morgan prompted the students to raise standards of excellence and to assist in the implementation of meaningful goals at the University.

“We are first and foremost an academic interest,” Morgan said, as he congratulated them.

First year honor students were not the only recent additions to the society. Leonard Pellicer, dean of the college of education and organizational leadership and professor of education, was initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta as an honorary member.

“We are all striving to be the best friend, daughter, student,” Pellicer said. “I want to be the kind of person that sees something is needed and do it.”

Pellicer emphasized that those who excel in school will excel in their work area as well.

The new executive council of the upcoming year was installed after the initiation. Students were given the opportunity to develop and excel in yet another area.

Chapter President Lauren Moon along with Cook plan to make Alpha Lambda Delta well known on campus.

Cook hopes that this new installment of officers will get involved in running the society.

“The role of these officers is to get the word out,” Moon said, “to make Alpha Lambda Delta more visible on campus.”

Moon and Cook plan to attend a leadership conference in the fall to see how various leadership chapters operate in the nation.

Sweaters with the Honor Society’s letters on them is another idea that the executive council had proposed.

“Our education is a really unique opportunity,” Moon said. “It will pay off in the end.”

Those initiated are seen as leading there fellow classmates.

“In every organization there are those that lead and those that follow,” said Namphol Sinkaset, assistant professor of chemistry and faculty advisor of the Alpha Lambda Delta.

“Support your officers and their plans,” she said.

After the appointment of officers, Cook passed the torch of knowledge and excellence by lighting the first candle in each row. Students then passed on the light to each other.

“I wish to express our pride in your achievement.” Sinkaset said.

All students were affected positively by the initiation.

“We’re speechless,” Kelly Cooke said.

Sophomore Kelli Clark was thrilled that she was recognized for her academic achievements in college. Like other students, she thought that merit awards ended after graduating high school.

“It has a definite positive effect,” Cook said.

Heidi Midtsjo Prior, a CAPA legal major student, was also excited about being honored into the society.

“I’m thrilled because I’m a lot older,” Prior said.

A list is provided to acknowledge the new members of the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society for First Year Students.

“I congratulate you because you care enough to do the best that you can do,” Pellicer said.

Yelena Ovharenko can be reached at yovcharenko@ulv.edu.

New Alpha Lambda Delta Members

Thomas Brent Anderson
Jessica Nicole Bell
Kady Michaela Bell
Christina Marie Borrayo
Natalie Camacho
Jennifer Ann Cantero
Giovanna Raquel Chavez
Jose Luis Chavez Jr.
Erin Clark
Kelli Danielle Clark
Victoria Michelle Collie
Kelly Cristine Cooke
Connie Elejalde
Tracy Charlene Diaz
Katharine Louise Ford
Isabel Fuentes
Kim Gray
Jennifer Gouailhardou
Michelle Angel Hu
Claudia Christine Jimenez
Derek Christopher Keepers
Nicole Elaine Knight
Sharon Teresa McGaha
Lauren Marie Moon
Alisa Nadjaryan
Vanessa Norzagaray
Heidi Midstjo Prior
Nila Carissa Priyambodo
Marilin Rivera
Emily Roberts-Kinzie

Yelena Ovcharenko, Web Editor
Yelena Ovcharenko
Other Stories
Adam Omernik, Photography Editor
Adam Omernik
Other Stories
Previous article
Happenings
Next article
Feedback: My definition of true happiness

Latest Stories

Related articles

LV Life

First Person Experience: Sophomores find community after missing freshman experience

I can still remember the feeling of excitement I had about two things, my senior year of high school and my first year of college. 
Arts, Etc.

Lamkin’s legacy honored in concert

Kathy Lamkin, professor of music, was honored for her 34 years of service at the University of La Verne in a choral concert May 17 in Morgan Auditorium.
Arts, Etc.

Happenings

Campus and community arts events for the week of May 15, 2015.
News

Lamkin reminisces in last lecture

Faculty and students packed into the President’s Dining Room to hear Kathy Lamkin give her last faculty lecture on Monday before she retires after 34 years at the University of La Verne.