USAO Inducts 15 Into Hypatia Honor Society

Fifteen students at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma were honored recently for their academic achievements and community and campus activities as they were initiated into Hypatia, the USAO honor society.

The students were inducted during an awards luncheon attended by faculty, staff and family members March 9.

Dr. John Feaver, president of USAO, shared remarks at the ceremony.

New members were initiated by Hypatia officers that include president Sarah Powers, an English major from Lawton; vice president Corey Coles, a biology major from Oklahoma City, and secretary Jeremy Teel, an art major from Oklahoma City. Dr. Sanders Huguenin, vice president for academic affairs, gave the closing comments.

Dr. Nancy Warden, professor of mathematics and chairman of the Hypatia committee, said she enjoys spotlighting the selected students.

“Recognizing students through the Hypatia Honor Society is a highlight for me, because these individuals don’t always get the recognition they deserve for being outstanding students,” Warden said. “I am thrilled to be the faculty chairman who gets to let the students know they’re being honored and then be a part of honoring them the day of the luncheon.”

Faculty sponsors for Hypatia include Warden, Dr. Nancy Hector, associate professor of education and coordinator of field-based experiences; Dr. Charles Mather, professor of biology; Kent Lamar, professor of art, and Dr. Sanders Huguenin, vice president of academic affairs.

The Hypatia Honor Society was founded in 1923 to honor students for their high academic achievements, character and integrity and service to the university and their community. The honor society was named after Hypatia, the famous Greek female mathematician. A faculty committee selects students for Hypatia. It is not possible for any student to apply for membership in the Honor Society.

Additionally, every student inducted into Hypatia is a multiple trimester member of the USAO Honor Roll and/or the Regents Honor Roll.

One of the features of the annual initiation luncheon is the signing of the Hypatia member book, a book that contains the signatures of every member of the elite honor society since its inception more than 85 years ago.

These initiates were honored:
   
Michelle Bauer is working toward a degree in sociology.  She is from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada.  Bauer is a three-year member of the USAO Softball team and a member of the Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society. She also has been named to the USAO and Regents Honor Rolls.

Sarah Brewer is a deaf education major from Broken Arrow.  She is the vice president of the American Sign Language Club and is a member of the USAO Ambassadors, Student National Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. 

Jana Bruer is a sociology major from Anadarko. Bruer serves as secretary for the USAO Sociology Club and has volunteered for Special Olympics and Relay for Life through USAO’s Independent Study program.  She also participated in the 2008 African Symposium at the university and is a head start volunteer.

Sarah Burden is from Denton, Texas and is a deaf education major.  She is the president of the American Sign Language Club and a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Societies.

Sarah Chalfant is a speech-language pathology major from Hinton.  She is a member of the President’s Leadership Council, the USAO Ambassadors, Student Activity Board, National Student Speech Hearing Language Association and Volunteer Action Council. 

Sarah Haffner is from Moore and is working toward a degree in biology.  Haffner is president of the Biology and Associated Sciences Club and is a member of Women in Science.  She also is a volunteer with the Central Oklahoma Humane Society and a member of the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony.

Megan Mascorro is a psychology major from Newcastle.  Mascorro is a member of the Psychology Club, Psi Chi Honor Society, the Concert Band, the Showband and the Key Players at USAO.

Zachary McGrew is an English major from Lawton.  He is a Regents’ Baccalaureate Scholar and a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.  McGrew is a founding member of the Secular Student Alliance and a member of the Feminist Collective, GSA, and Sigma Tau Delta. He served as a writing tutor and as director of the Vagina Monologues.

Emily McLennan is an art major from Oklahoma City.  McLennan is a member of the USAO Art Club and has participated in several art shows at the university.  She has done volunteer work with Alpha Lambda Delta and the Montmartre Chalk Art Festival.

Ricky Meeks is working towards a degree in biology. He is from Chickasha and is a member of the Biology and Associated Sciences Club at USAO and the Oklahoma Army National Guard and the Grady County Fire Service.

Jessika Saltos is a speech-language pathology major from Moore.  Saltos is a member of the National Student Speech Hearing Language Association and Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

Kasey Sams is pursuing a double major in drama and English. Sams is from Wetumka.  Sams was the assistant director of USAO’s production of West Side Story.  She is president of the USAO chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a national theatre honor society; and secretary of the USAO Drama Club.  Sams is active in the USAO drama department.

Lacey Shook is a business major from Chickasha.  Shook is a member of the President’s Leadership Council, the USAO Ambassadors, Volunteer Action Council and the Student Activity Board.

Laura Venable is working toward a major in communication. She is from Piedmont.  Venable is the chief photographer of The Trend newspaper and is active in the USAO Baptist Student Union.

Christina Wilson is a mathematics major from Mustang. Wilson is a member of the USAO Softball team and serves as a tutor in the Mathematics and Science Tutor Lab.