Ten inducted into Alpha Chi during 2010 ceremony
Ten Southern Wesleyan University students, representing the top five percent of the junior class and the top ten percent of the senior class, were inducted into the Alpha Chi national collegiate honor society April 27 at Newton Hobson Chapel on the campus in Central.
Inducted were Brett Barton, an accounting major from Townville; Elizabeth Bruce, an applied computer science major from Pickens; Lisa Corbin, an accounting major from Liberty; Daniel Furr, an elementary education major from Pickens; Merle J. Glick, a math education major from Greenville; Ashley Key, an early childhood education major from Pickens; Andrea Link, a math education major from Seneca; Katherine Schleifer, an English major from Clemson; Stephen Tolan, a religion major from Central; and Leigh Ann Turner, an elementary education major from Central.
They were joined by seniors who were previously inducted into Alpha Chi: Melinda Bolin, a physical education major from Liberty; Hannah Chapman, a music education major from Central; Eric Cromer, a pre medicine/pre dentistry major from Temperance, Mich.; Brian Daniels, a biology/English major from Greenville; Emily Medders, a math education major from Clemson; Jessica Mussro, a specialized major from Clemson; Julie Summey, a math education major from Sunset; and Chandra Walls, a psychology major from Greer.
A presidential luncheon in honor of the inductees was hosted by Dr. David Spittal, university president, after the ceremony.
Alpha Chi's purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students. The name comes from the initial letters of the Greek words for “truth” and “character.”
While its membership requirements are the same as Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Chi is unique among honor societies because it encourages not only scholarship but also service and faithfulness to the religious ideals of Southern Wesleyan University. Those who are inducted take a solemn pledge of membership to “guard with due diligence the scholarship of this university, the honesty and integrity of its scholars and the moral and religious ideals of their alma mater.”
Founded in 1915, Alpha Chi came to Southern Wesleyan in 1981, becoming the fourth chapter in South Carolina. Chemistry professor Dr. James Schmutz founded the chapter and served as its first sponsor. Mathematics professor Dr. Mickey Rickman is the current sponsor.