Megan Allen
Reporter
October 6, 2004
Alpha Chi, a collegiate national honor society, honored 16 Milligan students at its induction ceremony Tuesday night in the fireside lounge of the McMahan Student Center.
Lori Mills, associate professor of psychology and Alpha Chi faculty sponsor, said the purpose of the organization is “to honor those people who have shown excellent scholarship and character.”
Inductees were selected based on their academic standing and their character. They must be a junior or senior and rank in the top ten percent of their class, which means having at least a 3.5 GPA.
According to Mills, 100 percent accepted the invitation to join Alpha Chi, which is higher than the average. Usually 90 percent accept the invitation but when Milligan joined the Alpha Chi chapter in 1994, approximately 60 percent accepted.
The ceremony began with music by the Milligan string quartet, which gave attendees a chance to converse while eating a piece of pie and drinking punch.
A couple weeks prior to the ceremony, students wrote a letter about a faculty or staff member of their choice who has played an important role in their learning experience. The letter was framed and presented to their faculty or staff member during the ceremony, after students stated to the audience the reasons for choosing their honoree.
“[Mrs. Kiser] never got frustrated with me when I got frustrated with her,” said junior Mandi Mooney, who honored Charlene Kiser, associate professor of humanities. “She was always there for me.”
A common phrase students said was that their faculty or staff honoree’s door was always open and they felt welcomed.
Following the students’ brief speech, their chosen honoree praised his or her student.
“It’s a joy to stand up here beside a male English major,” said Ruth Cook, professor of English and humanities, about junior Aaron Gray. “He has made me happy for being at Milligan College for these 15 years.”
Marvin Glover, associate professor of mathematics, who was honored by junior Ashley Rolston, said, “Not only does [Rolston] look smart, kind and compassionate, but she is smart, kind and compassionate.”
After students, faculty and staff gave a speech, inductees recited the Alpha Chi pledge, lit a candle, signed the constitution of the society and were presented with a certificate and pin. Inductees recited the Alpha Chi motto, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”
Students felt honored for being invited to become a member in Alpha Chi.
“The honor of being named among those who have achieved academic excellence is an honor that is worthy of recognition and acceptance,” said junior Aaron Gray. “Plus I got free pie.”
Junior Megan Lease said, “I was grateful for the privilege.”
Cook said she wished more people were invited to the Alpha Chi ceremony.
“I feel that this is the best day of the semester because so many of my students are being honored tonight,” Cook said. “Every year it is a joy.”
Alpha Chi inductees include David Bielik, Missy Carter-Hyatt, Abby Conley, Parker Creel, Rachel Eng, Aaron Gray, Leslie Johnson, Megan Lease, Irena Loloci, Cheri Lomison, Jessica McDowell, Mandi Mooney, Ashley Rolston, Courtney Ruth, Karissa Schrage and Brandon Talbert.