SWU inducts 10 into Alpha Chi
SWU's chapter of Alpha Chi inducted 10 new members during honors convocation April 28 at the university's campus in Central. Participants, pictured from left, are Anna Russell, Lindsey Ramey, Chandra Walls, Emily Medders, Jessica Mussro, Brittany Koppen, Jessica Hubbard, Brian Daniels, Angela Rose Wilson, Melinda Bolin and Hannah Chapman. Behind them are Julie Summey, Stephanie Bortner, Mitch McKay, Charlsie Dennis and Paige Curry. At right is Dr. Mickey Rickman, mathematics professor and Alpha Chi sponsor.
Ten Southern Wesleyan University students, representing the top five percent of the junior class and the top ten percent of the senior class, were inducted into the Alpha Chi national collegiate honor society April 28 at Newton Hobson Chapel on the campus in Central. Inducted were Melinda Bolin, a physical education major from Liberty; Hannah Chapman, a music education major from Central; Brian Daniels, a biology/English major from Greenville; Jessica Hubbard, a special education major from Georgetown, Guyana; Brittany Koppen, a business administration/accounting major from Eden, N.Y.; Emily Medders, a math education major from Clemson; Jessica Mussro of Clemson; Julie Summey, a math education major from Sunset; Chandra Walls, a psychology major from Greer; and Angela Wilson, an accounting major from Easley.
They were joined by seniors who were previously inducted into Alpha Chi: Stephanie Bortner, an accounting major from Hanover, Pa.; Eric Cromer, a pre-medicine/dentistry major from Temperance, Mich.; Paige Curry, an elementary education/early childhood education major from Central; Charlsie Dennis, an English major from Six Mile; Heather Gardner, a business administration major from West Union; Mitch McKay, a business administration/accounting major from Owosso, Mich.; Anna Russell, a biology major from Pendleton; and Lindsay Ramey, an elementary education major from Liberty.
A presidential luncheon in honor of the inductees was hosted by Dr. David Spittal after the ceremony.
Alpha Chi's purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students. The name comes from the initial letters of the Greek words for "truth" and "character."
While its membership requirements are the same as Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Chi is unique among honor societies because it encourages not only scholarship but also service and faithfulness to the religious ideals of Southern Wesleyan University. Those who are inducted take a solemn pledge of membership to "guard with due diligence the scholarship of this university, the honesty and integrity of its scholars and the moral and religious ideals of their alma mater."
Founded in 1915, Alpha Chi came to Southern Wesleyan in 1981, becoming the fourth chapter in South Carolina. Chemistry professor Dr. James Schmutz founded the chapter and served as its first sponsor. Mathematics professor Dr. Mickey Rickman is the current sponsor.