Nine outstanding Bluefield College students were inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society during a ceremony on campus, December 8.
Professor Rob Merritt, faculty advisor to BC’s chapter of the National Honor Society, welcomed family and friends to the induction event, “a day of recognition,” “a day of notice,” he said.
“You should feel honored to be here and to be a part of this group,” said Dr. Merritt. “You are the students with the highest academic achievement at Bluefield College.”
Membership in the Alpha Chi National Honor Society is extended to juniors and seniors who are in the top 10 percent of their classes. The nine Bluefield College students who earned fall 2010 inclusion included Erica Coleman of Vansant, Virginia; LeAnn Deel of Maxie, Virginia; Lydia Freeman of Bristol, Virginia; Celia Jones of Brookneal, Virginia; Keri Joyce of Cedar Bluff, Virginia; Amber MacDonald of Beckley, West Virginia; Sheena Neal of Panther, West Virginia; Emily Sears of Hinton, West Virginia; and Kelly Thompson of Roanoke, Virginia.
Current BC Alpha Chi members Brittany Garton and Jennifer Bohannan told the nine new inductees that they had become a part of “a distinct group” of more than 300,000 students from 300 college campuses across the country to be selected for the National Society Honor. The students, they said, represent “the best in scholastic achievement.”
The current members led the students in a pledge of membership and presented the new inductees a certificate and membership pin. As part of the ceremony, the honorees also signed a formal membership charter.
Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi is a coeducational society whose purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.
The Alpha Chi National Honor Society name comes from the initial letters of the Greek words “Aletheia,” which means “truth,” and “Xapakthp,” which means “character.” The society’s shield and key bear a lamp of learning and the colors emerald and green, which signify victory and truth.
Open to students from all academic disciplines, Alpha Chi’s motto, taken from the Biblical verse John 8:32, is “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” In addition to the distinction of being named among the top 10 percent of college students in 300 Alpha Chi chapters across the country, members are also eligible for scholarships granted by the society each year.