Published: March 23, 2009 10:43 am      

Nine initiated into USAO education honor society

CHICKASHA -- Nine students at the University of Science and Arts were honored March 11 as they were initiated in Kappa Delta Phi, an international honor society in education.

"We are proud of these initiates," said Dr. Jeanne Mather, sponsor of the group and professor of education at USAO. "Each has excelled in college, understands the importance of being a life-long learner, and is expected to be an outstanding educator, one who will truly make a difference in her students’ lives."

To be eligible for membership, a student must exhibit the ideals of scholarship, high personal standards, desire to help others, and promise in the teaching and allied professions. In particular, students must have completed 50 credit hours of college work, be admitted into the teacher education program, and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale.

Dr. William Bagley founded Kappa Delta Pi in 1911 at the University of Illinois. The organization was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The founders chose the name from the Greek words to represent knowledge, duty, and power.

Pioneering from its beginning by including women as well as men, Kappa Delta Pi grew from a local chapter to the international organization it is today, comprising of 582 chapters and more than 45,000 members.

Local members are involved with many community activities including Books For Tots -- which provides books for needy children during the Christmas season.

Students initiated include Heather Broyles, an early childhood education major from Marlow; Stephanie Grillo, an early childhood education major from Chickasha; Chelsi Hilmes, an elementary education major from Oklahoma City; Natalie Holland, an early childhood education major from Chickasha; Candace Hunter, an elementary education major from Oklahoma City; Kayla Locke, an early childhood education major from Minco; Monica Rempe, an elementary education major from Chickasha; Roseanne Truelove, an early childhood education major from Oklahoma City and Mee-Kyoung Worrilow, an elementary education major from Blanchard.