Twelve initiated into USAO education honor society

Twelve students at the University of Science and Arts were honored in March as they were initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education.

"We are very 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 lifelong learner and is expected to be an outstanding educator who will truly make a difference in his or her students’ lives. Each has accepted the philosophy of teaching students through an interdisciplinary approach and emphasizing critical thinking and problem solving skills.”

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 30 credit hours of college work, including at least nine hours of professional education credit, be admitted into the teacher education program and have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher, on a 4.0 scale. 

Students initiated include Megan Battershell, a junior early childhood education major from Chandler; Karlie Campbell, a senior deaf education major Wewoka; Crystal Davis, a senior vocal music major from Buffalo; Ashton House, a senior vocal music major from Hydro; Mandi McRay, a senior English major from Chickasha; and Twila Misenheimer, an elementary education major from Blanchard.

Also initiated were Meghann Neeley, a senior elementary education major from Newcastle; Aubree Roberts, a junior deaf education major from Chickasha; Rachael Schlittler, a junior early childhood education major from Newcastle; Eden Simon, a senior elementary education major from Norman; Nikissiah Widener, a senior elementary education major from Pocasset; and Victoria Wilson, a senior elementary education major from Moore.

The guest speaker at the initiation ceremony was Jean Hendrickson, executive director of Oklahoma A+ Schools, who spoke on "Oklahoma A+ Schools: Helping Schools Think, Plan and Behave More Creatively.”

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.