The Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society inducted six new members into their organization for the fall 2011 semester. The ceremony was held in the Student Union, Room 223, on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The following six students were inducted: Shelby Brignac, a senior nursing major; Allison Meith, a junior early childhood education major; Kelley Murphy, a sophomore marketing major; Robert Ricks, a senior general studies major; Rachel Studley, a sophomore English education major and Kathy Triolo, a senior business administration major.
Delta Alpha Pi is an honors organization, which recognizes the academic accomplishments of students with disabilities. The organization was founded in 2004 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Southeastern founded the Alpha Upsilon Chapter last fall.
Delta Alpha Pi was created to abolish the negative perception that is often connected with students who publicly identify themselves as disabled.
“Delta Alpha Pi presents an opportunity to change that perception by recognizing the academic achievements of students with a disability,” said Victoria Odom, Delta Alpha Pi president, as she addressed the attendees on the purpose of the organization. “It also provides opportunities to help facilitate leadership skills, advocacy and educating people around us.”
Secretary Johnny Braud and Treasurer Nicole Couper joined Odom in explaining the significance of the Greek letters. D stands for disability, A stands for achievement, and P stands for pride. After each explanation, a candle was lit to represent Delta Alpha Pi’s three core values; leadership, advocacy and education. Odom then led the inductees in the Delta Alpha Pi oath.
Each inductee was given a Delta Alpha Pi pin to indicate their status as a member. There was also a special recognition for graduating members Mark Lawrence, Delta Alpha Pi vice president, and Kathy Triolo who received an honor chord of blue and yellow, the colors of the organization.
To conclude the ceremony, guest speaker Gene Pregeant, Southeastern’s EEO/ADA compliance coordinator, gave a word of encouragement to the inductees. Pregeant said that having a disability is one part of who he is, but he does not let that define him as a person.
“I’m encouraging every one of you students here today to stay involved, to grow your involvement and to take charge of defining who you are and writing your own biography. Nobody else and no disability should have that honor other than you,” said Pregeant.
The evening ended with a reception where new and current members exchanged congratulations and celebrated with refreshments provided by the Office of Disability Services.
“I’ve been to a couple of induction ceremonies where there was a long list of people, but I liked this one,” said Rachel Studley, sophomore and new Delta Alpha Pi member. “This one was nice and straight to the point.”
For more information on Delta Alpha Pi, visit the Office of Disability Services webpage at http://www.selu.edu/admin/ds/ or call 985-549-2247. The Office of Disability Services is located in the Student Union next to Starbucks.