Date: October 21, 2003
Contact: Michael Hopkins
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: m-hopkins@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, October 21, 2003—At an induction ceremony at Governors State University Wednesday, October 15, 36 of the university's top undergraduate students became the first inducted into Gamma Sigma Upsilon, the newest chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society. The new GSU chapter becomes the 325th for the national honor society.
"Alpha Sigma Lambda is particularly well-suited to GSU," said Dr. James Howley, the university's director of Career Services. Howley has been appointed Alpha Sigma Lambda's National Advisor for the university. "This is an honor society geared toward adult and non-traditional students. And that's precisely who we serve at GSU."
According to Howley, several terms are used to describe the kind of students who attend Governors State: working adults, adult learners, non-traditional or continuing education students. Call them what you will, Howley said the fact is that they make up nearly 48 percent of today's college students and the majority of GSU's student body.
"This is a unique student population because of their level of experience and their dedication to academic achievement," Howley said. "They deserve the recognition they'll get from being a part of Alpha Sigma Lambda."
Still, Howley explained, joining Alpha Sigma Lambda is no easy trick. The national honor society has strict criteria for membership. Potential members must be in the top 10 percent of the university's very best undergraduate students—that is, the top 10 percent of undergraduates who have achieved a GPA of 3.2 to 4.0.
"That makes membership in Alpha Sigma Lambda a significant opportunity," Howley said. "First, it says that these students are the very best of the best. Second, it creates important networking opportunities. As a career services guy, I know how important that can be. In either case, membership clearly demonstrates that these students are top performers and that they have the drive and desire to make a difference."
Howley said the GSU chapter will commit itself to service both to the community and other adult learners.
"It's not going to be too much to expect great things from these students," Howley said. "Keep your eyes open."
The GSU inductees to the Gamma Sigma Upsilon chapter are as follows: Susan Atkins, Mary Barnes, Bev Barnes, Mary Bragg, Theresa Connolly, Christy Cooper, Sara Doede, Adelicia Garcia, Donna Garrity, Lisa Hilger, Heather Hop, Lonnie James, Camille Johnson, Sharon Koenig, Ron Kosary, Kimberly McGuire, Alison Mensing, Mary Moore, LeeAnne Morin, Donna Murphy, Keith Mussman, Betty Pekau, Renee Peters, Susan Riordan, Joshua Schoot, Dawn Shields, Lisa Sobol, Barbara Sorensen, Julia Stiles, Kathleen Stone, Kristin Thirion, Pamela Thompson, Kathleen Uher, Kimberly Vaccaro, Patrice Washington and Linda West.
