National Honor Society for Theatre Sigma Xi Cast Inducts Eight
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma recently recognized the artistic and academic excellence of eight students with induction into Alpha Psi Omega, the national honor society for theatre. They joined current members of the Sigma Xi Cast, USAO’s chapter of the society, for an initiation ceremony on April 28, 2025.
The students who were named to this honor society are Gary Daughtry (sophomore theatre major from Bristow, OK), Avery Sanborn (sophomore theatre major from Cherokee, OK), Madilynn Duszynski (sophomore theatre major from Ada, OK), Gissell Castillo (sophomore theatre major from Oklahoma City), Rain Gutzmer (senior theatre major from Lindsay, OK), Mabel Cremers (senior theatre major from Veghel, Netherlands), Joshua Edwards (senior History major from Rush Springs, OK), and Monica Munn (senior theatre major from Minco, OK).
“It is exemplary of our interdisciplinary program that students who are not theatre majors are being honored alongside of those graduating with degrees in theatre,” said Katie Davis, Professor of Theatre and APO Sponsor. “Students from across our state choose USAO because they can participate in college productions regardless of their major and gain the social and academic benefits of this creative, collaborative work, or can tailor their theatre degree to meet their career goals. In this group are some of the finest theatre technicians we have ever graduated and some students who will use their skills in “theatre adjacent” fields."
Faculty at Fairmont State College in West Virginia founded Alpha Psi Omega in 1925 as the first national honorary organization in theatre for university students. Criteria for selection to this, the nations largest honor society, includes meeting the national standard for grade point average and earning points for work in a variety of production and leadership roles. Unique for an honor society, the initiation requires that pledges perform memorized monologues by Shakespeare for an audience of current members, who attend the induction.
Those inducted into Alpha Psi Omega become lifetime members who benefit from scholarships, mentorship, and the connected community of more than 600 casts (chapters) across the nation.
More information about Alpha Psi Omega, including the national roster of chapters, is available at www.alphapsiomega.org. For more information about the service activities of our local cast contact Davis at (405) 574-1310 or kdavis@usao.edu.