Nineteen students inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Nineteen Tusculum College students received one of the highest honors bestowed by the school on Saturday, Oct. 26, with their induction into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society.

To be eligible for membership in Tusculum’s Alpha Chi Chapter, students must be either juniors or seniors who rank in the top 10 percent of their classes academically. Members are admitted to the honor society from all academic disciplines. The invitation to join the honor society, extended by the college’s faculty, recognizes previous accomplishments and provides opportunity for continued growth and service.

The students were inducted into Tusculum’s chapter of Alpha Chi in a ceremony before family and friends in the Chalmers Conference Center on campus.

Inducted were:

Ryan Barker of Laurens, S.C., a senior majoring in creative writing and history. He is serving as Student Government Association president, served as an intern for the Niswonger Foundation, the Museums of Tusculum College and the Office of College Communications, served on the Judicial Review Board and the Old Oak Festival planning committee, and presented papers at the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference.

David Cooper of Chuckey, a junior majoring in biology. Cooper is president of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Council and is a member of the President’s Society. A member of the Pioneer cross country team, he has received accolades for his athletic and classroom success, including being named Capitol One Academic All American.

Danielle DeBusk of Knoxville, a junior majoring in mathematics. She has been named to the college’s academic honor lists each semester.

Paige Fultz of Mascot, a senior majoring in political science. Fultz serves in the Army Reserves and has participated in the college’s Study Abroad Program through a trip to Malta.

Ashley Gregg of Parrottsville, a junior majoring in art and design. She is a member of the Pioneer cross country team.

Megan Hasse of Kingston Springs, a junior majoring in pre-physical therapy. Hasse is a member of the Pioneer volleyball team.

Owen Hensley of Nashville, is a junior majoring in athletic training. Hensley is a member of the President’s Society.

Kate Hutchinson of Calhoun, Ga., is a junior majoring in pre-medicine. She is a member of the Pioneer women’s tennis team.

Martin Jorgensen of Beder, Denmark, is a junior majoring in sports science with a minor in psychology. He is a member of the Pioneer men’s basketball team and received the 2011-12 Tusculum Freshman of the Year Academic Award.

Pamela Keen of McEwen, is a senior majoring in political science. Keen has served on the college’s Community Standards Board.

Staci Knipp of Greeneville, is a junior majoring in education K-8. She is a member of the Marching Band, Jazz Band and Concert Band and was also involved in the band program as a high school student.

John Landers, of Lithonia, Ga., is a junior majoring in political science. A dedicated student, he was named an Honor Student for his freshman class for having the highest grade point average among his classmates.

Jonathan Nash of Talbott, is a senior majoring in professional writing and journalism. He is editor of the Pioneer Frontier Magazine, a student-produced magazine printed each semester.

Theodore Oing of Hixson, is a senior majoring in psychology. Oing is a member of Tusculum’s chapter of the Psi Chi psychology honor society, serves as a tutor and has presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association’s annual meeting.

Bonnie Parks of Cartersville, is a senior majoring in English. She has been active in the theater program at Tusculum both onstage and backstage, helping with set construction.

Leneice Rice of New Castle, Pa., is a senior majoring in psychology. She has served as a student mentor and been active in the campus life program.

Michael Scott of Colorado Springs, Co., is a junior majoring in business. He is a member of the Pioneer baseball team.

Lukas Winkelmann of Boblingen, Germany, is a junior majoring in pre-medicine with a minor in chemistry. A member of the men’s tennis team, Winkelmann was named 2012-13 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and the conference’s 2012-13 Men’s Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year. He is also a Capital One Academic All American.

Erica Worrell of Bridgeton, N.J., is a junior majoring in elementary education. Worrell is part of Student Support Services and has served on the Student Government Association.

The new Alpha Chi inductees were congratulated on their achievement by Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of Tusculum College. “I salute your many successes and challenge you to continue the hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence that has brought you to this place in your life,” she said.

Beth Wright, president of Tusculum’s Alpha Chi chapter, shared history and information about the honor society. Alpha Chi has been a respected college honor society since its founding in 1922. The society’s purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction. Its name is derived from the first letter of the Greek words meaning truth and character, and its motto is “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” taken from John 8:32 in the Bible.  Tusculum’s chapter was the first one established in the state.

Participating in the induction ceremony were Jordan Ottinger, vice president of the chapter, Joesph Elphingstone, secretary of the chapter; Addie Hancock of Mooresburg, treasurer of Alpha Chi, Dr. Troy Goodale, faculty sponsor for Tusculum’s Alpha Chi chapter and assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Melinda Dukes, vice president for academic affairs.

To see inductee photos, please visit Tusculum’s Facebook page.