Alpha Chi Members Inducted
by Megan Mueller
OKWUeagle.com Staff Writer
For four years, OKWU’s Alpha Chi chapter has welcomed students in the top 10 percent of the junior and senior classes into the society.
The Oklahoma Kappa chapter of the Alpha Chi Honor Society at Oklahoma Wesleyan University inducted six new students, Friday, October 2 in the La Quinta Mansion on the OKWU campus. The students honored include Amber M. Leland, Stephen M. Luttenberg, Andrew J. Oleson, Jonathan E. Porter, Leslie R. Smith and Kadilyn V. Suggs.
Newest Alpha Chi members are Jonathan Porter, Amber Leland, Stephen Luttenberg, Kadilyn Suggs, Andrew Oleson. Not pictured: Leslie Smith. (Jessica Kingery / OKWUeagle.com contributing photographer)
Alpha Chi, a national organization, is intended to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among students in universities and colleges. Since being established in 1922, Alpha Chi has grown to include more than 300,000 members within its 383 chapters.
The OKWU ceremony began with Dr. Bob Myers, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, welcoming friends and family members of the honored students, reminding them how significant this evening would be for each student.
“These are the best undergrad students in their fields and not many are here,” Myers said, “because very few qualify for this honor.”
Members of Alpha Chi are not only recognized for their exceptional academics and character, they also compete for Alpha Chi scholarships and fellowships awarded by the national organization.
Professor Charissa Dunn, Field Director and Electronic Portfolio Administrator for the School of Education, offered a prayer that the students would take joy in learning both about God and the world and that they would continue to promote academic excellence and exemplary character to bring glory and honor to God’s name.
Andy Novak, Vice President of Arvest Bank, was introduced as the guest speaker for the evening.
During her keynote address, Novak said Alpha Chi serves as a venue for “continued growth and service” in the lives of the new members.
She stressed the importance of serving other people in any occupation.
“I can assure you, your careers will involve serving people,”,Novak said, “and if you’re not serving customers you better be serving someone who is.”
Novak has worked in the banking industry and human resources for over 35 years. She attended the University of Kansas and is also currently a pianist for First Wesleyan Church in Bartlesville.
Professor Steve Hughes, co-sponsor for Alpha Chi at OKWU, presided over the induction of the six new members, asking each to progress forward in truth and character since being recommended to Alpha Chi.
Each member pledged to make scholarship and service a priority in their lives, then signed the membership roll and received pins and a certificate of membership from Gail Richardson, sponsor for Alpha Chi and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Hughes pronounced each student a member of Alpha Chi and challenged them to make Alpha Chi a more prominent society within the OKWU community.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a four-year Christian university of the liberal arts and sciences and is fully accredited by the North Central Association.
OWU is also a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities and the Association of Oklahoma Independent Colleges and Universities.
