Alpha Chi, an academic honor society, chose to induct 36 students this month. Alpha Chi promotes and honors students who have achieved academic excellence and displayed exemplary character.
The students were honored during a ceremony March 18 in classroom D3 in the Penick Academic Complex.
Although no set grade-point average must be met to be chosen, students must be ranked in the top percentile of students at the specific university.
“Membership is limited to the top 10 percent of junior and senior students at colleges and universities that have a chapter of Alpha Chi, which is a high standard at Union,” said Sharon Evans, a co-sponsor for Union’s chapter and associate professor of nursing. “Most students who are invited have a grade-point average approaching 4.0.”
Invitations are only handed out by the faculty of the universities that have an Alpha Chi chapter. To become a member, each student pays a one-time fee and attends an induction ceremony.
Once the fee is paid, it keeps a student in the honor society for a lifetime. Students also must exhibit good character and stay in good standing, according to the Alpha Chi handbook.
All chapters of Alpha Chi are required to have an induction ceremony at least once a year. This year will be Union’s 57th induction ceremony.
Evans said Alpha Chi began in Georgetown, Texas, on the campus of Southwestern University in 1922 to honor all model students at “Class A” universities in the state of Texas.
A few other Southern states joined in during the first several years, but then membership started rapidly expanding in the 1960s.
“To be eligible for consideration as a chapter, an applicant has to be a four-year institution of higher education and must be a member in good standing of the regional accrediting association of the territory in which it is located,” said Evans. “The Tennessee Beta chapter of Alpha Chi began in 1962.”
As of 2012, about 400 chapters exist nationwide. Alpha Chi’s name is derived from the initial letters of the Greek word “Aletheia,” meaning truth, and “Xapakthp,” meaning character.
The motto of the organization comes from the book of John in the Bible. “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).
Alpha Chi Requirements
Limited to top 10 percent of junior and senior students
Inductees must receive an invitation from faculty advisers, Drs. Sean and Sharon Evans, in order to join
One-time membership fee of $70
Attend official induction ceremony
Must be in good standing with the university
Must exhibit good character
New Alpha Chi Inductees:
- Amanda Brasfield
- Chelsea Cobb
- Kayla Carruthers
- Kelly Geasley
- Kalee Hall
- Andrew Hamaker
- Haylee Hatcher
- Lindsey Hutchison
- John Keller
- Melody Kramer
- Adam Lang
- Kaelin Large
- Rebecca Leon
- Andrew Love
- Gray Magee
- Allie Malone
- Laura McCuin
- Megan Meyerhoff
- Grace Morriss
- Rebecca Orosz
- Abigail Orr
- Janie Owen
- Meagan Phipps
- Emily Russell
- Vicki Searl
- Breanne Sills
- Charles Snow
- Thomas Trabue
- Jenaye White
- Abby Williams
- Christian Winter
- Lauren Wood
- Stephen Wunrow
- Kensie Zills