Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) held its third annual Alpha Lambda Delta initiation ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 4. During the event 20 IUPUC students became members. IUPUC is one of more than 260 U.S. universities and colleges that belong to this prestigious national honor society.

Founded in 1924, ALD provides financial support for 35 undergraduates and 23 graduate students each year. The group also provides scholarships for ten students pursuing international study through study-abroad fellowships.

“To become members, the students must meet high academic standards,” said Vickie Welsh-Huston, the university’s ALD administrative advisor. “Recognizing individual achievement is in keeping with IUPUC’s strategic plan, as is improving the success of first-year students. Our hope is that membership will not only have a positive impact on retention of freshman students, but will encourage them to complete their degrees in four years,” she added.

IUPUC’s 2015 initiates include:

• Kelby Lou-Anne Bennett
• Sierra Billman
• Morgan Reaugh Burkholder
• Jessica Lynn Caldwell
• Luisa Fernanda Chaparro
• Meagan Helen Elizabeth Ferguson
• Brianna Dale Frost
• Aaron Shawn Heagle
• Elizabeth Kathryn Hedger
• Tanea Shiann Herbert
• Larissa Luther
• Kenzie McPherson
• Justin Matthew Monroe
• Haeli Elizabeth Morgan
• Madeline Claire Prohaska
• Baylee Schmitter
• Brianna Renee Schooler
• Rebecca Lynn Smith
• Ryan Daniel Stinnett
• Jenna Lyn Wells

The student officers at IUPUC are: Maggie Elizabeth Evans (president), Carissa Dawn Walls (vice president), Open position (secretary), and Michael Francis Foist III (treasurer).

Honorary initiates from among IUPUC faculty and staff include:

• Dr. Anna Carmon, chapter faculty advisor
• Dr. Gary Felsten, associate dean for academic affairs
• Dr. Sandra Miles, director of student affairs
• Dr. Laurence Richards, interim vice chancellor and dean
• Ms. Vickie Welsh-Huston, chapter administrative advisor

For more information, contact Vickie Welsh-Huston at (812) 348-7216.