Students in the School of Education were inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education that promotes the highest ideals of the teaching profession, on April 22, 2020.
Twenty-three undergraduates and one graduate in the School of Education were invited and inducted into the membership of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education, through the Sigma Gamma Chapter of Elon University.
The initiation ceremony took place on April 22 in McKinnon Hall and via Zoom.
The Society inducts only those individuals who have exhibited the ideals of scholarship, integrity in service, and commitment to excellence in teaching and its allied professions. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.
At Elon, undergraduate members must earn academic excellence with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.60 or higher and the recommendation of three teacher education faculty members. Graduate members must have a cumulative grade-point average that falls within the top 18 percent of the graduating class and the recommendation of three teacher education faculty members.
Associate Professor of Education Stephen Byrd, faculty sponsor and organizer of the event, gave a warm welcome to begin the ceremony followed by the lighting of the white Kappa Candle and acknowledgment of the organization’s commitment to Elon’s motto, Numen Lumen, by Lisa Thompson ’94, adjunct instructor in education.
Lecturer in Education Portia Wade, Assistant Professor of Education Katie Baker, Associate Professor of Education and Director of Elon Academy Terry Tomasek, and Associate Professor of Wellness Carol Smith led the students in affirming the society’s ideals of Fidelity to Service, Fidelity to Science, Fidelity to Humanity and Fidelity to Toil.
Byrd offered a charge to the inductees on the theme, “Embrace your calling; Honor your commitments.” During his charge, he reflected on his induction ceremony into Kappa Delta Pi and how he remembers feeling honored and being a part of something noble. He encouraged inductees to “wake up each day, determined to fulfill your commitment to help students despite yesterday’s failures.”
Senior Lecturer Marna Winter, who chairs the Department of Education and Wellness, concluded the ceremony with the society motto — “So to serve that each day may enhance the growth of exploring minds; so to live that we may guide young and old to know the truth and love the right. To the fulfillment of these objectives, we pledge our efforts.”
The School of Education is proud of the following undergraduate and graduate student inductees:
- Kristin Amrine, Elementary Education
- Dorothy Boudett, Elementary Education
- Katie Canty, History with Teacher Licensure
- Lauren Catalano, Elementary Education
- Emily Cohen, Elementary Education
- Delaney DeAvila, Elementary Education
- Madeline Gall, Mathematics with Teacher Licensure
- Nicole Holland, Elementary Education
- Kelly Hunter, Special and Elementary Education
- Emma Keleghan, Elementary Education
- Remy Lawson, Special and Elementary Education
- Nettie Leepson, Elementary Education
- Makenzie Mason, Special and Elementary Education
- Torii Masinsin, M.A. in Higher Education candidate
- Emily McGranahan, English with Teacher Licensure
- Katie Naslonski, Special and Elementary Education
- Elizabeth Norvell, Special and Elementary Education
- Samantha Penny, Special and Elementary Education
- Hayley Risk, English with Teacher Licensure
- Dierdre Shivak, Special and Elementary Education
- Julianna Stabile, Elementary Education
- Ciara Sutherburg, Special and Elementary Education
- Lexi Uknis, Mathematics with Teacher Licensure
- Carolee Wagner, Special and Elementary Education