USAO Inducts 12 students Into Hypatia Honor Society

Twelve 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, USAO's only campus-wide honor society.

The students were inducted during an awards luncheon attended by faculty, staff and family members Dec. 1.

Dr. Dex Marble, vice president for academic affairs at USAO, shared remarks at the ceremony. New members were initiated by Hypatia officers that included President John Fitzgerald, a bachelor of fine arts major from Moore, Vice President Bled N’guessan, a chemistry major with a pre-pharmacy emphasis from Abidjan, Ivory Coast and Secretary Jorden Wiggins, history and psychology major from Oklahoma City.

Faculty sponsors for Hypatia include committee chair, Dr. Nancy Warden, professor of mathematics; Dr. Nancy Hector, associate professor of education and coordinator of field-based experiences; Dr. Erik Guzik, assistant professor of economics; Kent Lamar, professor of art, and Marble.

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 86 years ago.

These initiates were honored:

Katie Arnold is a Political Science major from Seminole.  Dr. Aleisha Karjala is her advisor.  Katie’s USAO include cheerleading, the USAO Supreme Court, the USAO Constitutional Commission, Drew’s Crew, and the census service learning project.

Kelsey Bennett is a deaf education major from Kingfisher.  Judy Brawner is her advisor.  Kelsey’s USAO activities include SNEA (the Student National Education Association) and Books for Tots.  She is a member of the ASL Club (American Sign Language) and the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society.  She is a Sunday school teacher and soup kitchen manager at her local church.

Cody Bogle is a natural science major with secondary teacher certification.  He is from Chickasha and Dr. Peter Thomas is his advisor.  He is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and a member of the Regents’ Honor Roll.

Heather Brand is an art education major from Mustang.  Her advisor is Jacquelyn Knapp.  Heather is member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and SNEA.  She also is a volunteer with Reach Ministries, and outreach program in Yukon, that helps low-income children and their families.

Amber Caudill is a psychology major from Duncan.  Dr. Chris Walker is her advisor.  Her USAO activities include the Psychology Club, the Sociology Club, Psi Chi (the National Honor Society of Psychology). She also serves as a volunteer for the Women’s Service Center of Chickasha.

Hayley Curtis is a health and physical education major from Ryan.  Her advisor is Dr. Nancy Osborn.  She is a member of the USAO Baptist Collegiate Ministry and volunteers at the Chickasha food pantry.  

Meghan Duggins is a deaf education major from Kansas City, Missouri.  Her advisor is Judy Brawner.  Meghan is employed in the USAO Alumni Development office.  She also serves as one of four students on the USAO Teacher Education Committee.  Her USAO activities include SNEA, the ASL Club (American Sign Language) and the Grady County Reading Council.  She also serves her local church as a nursery supervisor.

Lexxa Kever is from Springdale, Arkansas and working towards a double major in business administration and biology.  Her advisors are Wendy Ferrell and Dr. Jeanette Loutsch.  Lexxa is member of the USAO women’s soccer team.  She is a resident hall assistant for the Lawson Court apartments, and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta.  She is a nursery worker for her local church.

Gabrielle Martinez is an elementary education major with a minor in Spanish.  She is from Oklahoma City and Dr. Nancy Hector is her advisor.  Gabby is a captain for the USAO women’s soccer team.  She is secretary of the Sigma Psi Omega sorority.  In addition, she is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and the President’s Leadership Council.  Gabrielle also volunteers at the Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center.

Alyssa Pence is from Norman.  She is working towards a major in art with an emphasis in graphic design and Steve Brown is her advisor.  Alyssa’s USAO activities include the Art Club, the History Club, and the Science Fiction/Fantasy Club.  She has participated in many USAO art shows.  At her local church, Alyssa teaches children’s classes and designs projects for the children.  She has also volunteered at the Noble Public Library.

Shaylea Shebester is from Pauls Valley and is working toward a major in biology with a pre-med emphasis.  Her minor is chemistry and Dr. Jeanette Loutsch is her advisor.  Her USAO activities include Colleges Against Cancer, the Supreme Court, Cheer, Women in Science, Drew’s Crew, and the scholastic meet.  She has served as a judge for local science fairs and does volunteer work in the campus garden.

Adrian Talley is from Chickasha and is working toward a major in business administration with a minor in professional writing.  Her advisor is Wendi Ferrell.  Adrian is member of the USAO Ambassadors and a childcare volunteer at her local church.  In addition, Adrian is an employee at the USAO bookstore.