Gardner-Webb Students Join Alpha Chi Honor Society

University Inducts 30 New Members into Academic Organization During Virtual Ceremony

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Members of Gardner-Webb University’s N.C. Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi hosted the 48^th annual induction ceremony on Nov. 15 through a Zoom webinar. Alpha Chi is a national collegiate honor society that promotes academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and honors those who achieve such distinction.

Membership is open to students with junior and senior classification who demonstrate strong character and whose GPA ranks them in the top 10 percent of their academic classes.

In recent years, students in Gardner-Webb’s Alpha Chi chapter have earned consistent national recognition for their academic achievements, including honors for presentations at the annual Alpha Chi National Convention. The GWU North Carolina Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi was established in 1972.

Dr. June Hobbs, Alpha Chi sponsor, presided over the ceremony. The prelude was presented by cellist MacKenzie Quattlebuam, who is diversity coordinator for Alpha Chi. Dr. David Yelton, associate provost for Arts and Sciences gave the invocation, and GWU President Dr. William M. Downs greeted the honorees and guests.

Ben Schade, Alpha Chi vice president, gave the history of Alpha Chi. The program offered highlights and a presentation from filmmakers of “The Dancin’ Bulldogs” documentary. Produced by Christian Jessup, a GWU Alpha Chi alumnus, and Thomas Manning, a current GWU student who also serves Alpha Chi as a diversity coordinator, the two offered thoughts and perspectives on the creation of this documentary.

Samantha Wilkie, Alpha Chi President, and Hobbs presented the candidates for membership and the Alpha Chi Pledge. Emily Rhew, an Alpha Chi National Delegate, conducted the “Passing of the Light of Knowledge.” Wilkie presented the charge to the 30 candidates and delivered remarks.

The program ended with soprano Madeline Bame, Alpha Chi Special Events co-chair, presenting a song, and Makayla Fewster, Alpha Chi Secretary, saying the benediction.

The new inductees and their sponsors include:

• Weslyn Almond, Albemarle, N.C., Dr. Jeffrey Hartman, professor of exercise science
• Gabrielle Berkes, Cuyahoga Fall, Ohio, Dr. Anthony Negbenebor, professor of economics and international business, assistant vice president for business development and partnerships   
• Carlie Blackburn, Vale, N.C., Dr. Gassan Dib, instructor in the Godbold College of Business
• Natalie Bond, Belmont, N.C., Godbold College of Business Dean Mischia Taylor
• Ashlynn Burdette, Fletcher, N.C., Susan Parker, instructor of nursing                
• Grace Burgin, Iron Station, N.C., Dr. Meredith Rowe, assistant professor of biology
• Ysabela Cable, Nebo, N.C., Dr. Bobbie Cox, associate professor, coordinator criminal justice
• Kimberly Cole, Shelby, N.C., Dr. Tina Lewis , assistant professor of nursing
• Maelyn Cranford, Hickory, N.C., Nicole Beaver, instructor of nursing                
• Anna Crowell, Indian Trail, N.C., Dr. Ben Brooks, professor of chemistry
• Katie Freeman, Advance, N.C., Dr. Tina Lewis, assistant professor of nursing                           
• Jonathan Frye, Columbia, S.C., Dr. Tom Jones, professor of biology, associate dean of the Honors Program
• Eliza Gunson, Matthews, N.C., Dr. Casey Delehanty, assistant professor of political science
• Porter Heath, Pilot Mountain, N.C.
• Jacob Kehoe, Powell, Ohio, Dr. Sungjae Kim, associate professor of finance
• Kaitlyn Kennedy, Fuquay Varina, N.C., Dr. Shea Stuart, professor of English
• Camryn King, Kings Mountain, N.C., Dr. Lane Wesson, professor of education, coordinator of teacher education
• Hendrik Kortgӧdde, Kaarst, Germany, Jenny Humphries, director of International Student Services
• Andrew Mintz, Fuquay Varina, N.C., Coach Mike Blum, Men’s and Women’s Swimming
• Jada Newton, Woodbridge, Va., Dr. Kemeshia Swanson, assistant professor of English
• Holly O’Brien, Cornelius, N.C., Godbold College of Business Dean Mischia Taylor
• Brenda Ordonez, Dobson, N.C., Tara Hayes , instructor of nursing, RN-BSN program coordinator
• Faith Parandhamaia, Accident, Md., Coach Brian Baker, Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country
• Hannah Ray, Kings Mountain, N.C., Dr. June Hobbs, professor of English language and Literature, director of Undergraduate Research
• Taylor Robinson, Leesburg, Va., Coach Brian Baker, Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country  
• Louise Schmidtgen, Ettlingen, Germany, Dr. Miroslaw Mystkowski, professor of mathematics and computer science
• Kendall Smith , Shelby, N.C., Dr. Laura Carscaddon, professor of psychology and counseling, director of Graduate Counseling Program, graduate internship coordinator and Dr. David Carscaddon, dean and professor in the School of Psychology and Counseling
• Mckenzie Trantham, Hendersonville, N.C., Dr. Meredith Rowe, assistant professor of biology           
• Callie West, Arlington, Texas, Hannah Allford, instructor of English
• Emily Yelton, Rutherfordton, N.C., Dr. Lane Wesson, professor of education, coordinator of teacher education

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.