On
Friday, April 16, 2004, a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political
Science Honor Society) was established at Ferrum College. Pi Sigma Alpha
was founded in 1920 at the University of Texas in Austin for graduate
and undergraduate students in political science, international studies
and public administration. To bring a chapter of this prestigious honor
society to our campus, the Department of Political Science had to tender
a formal petition to the national office in Washington, DC. After this
initial stage of the approval process, Ferrum College was invited to
send the names of its initiates.
The national office officially
approved our application and authorized the establishment of the Alpha
Beta Pi chapter on our campus. The Political Science Department with
the support of Student Government Association, President’s Office, Division
of History, Political Science and the Arts, and the Office of Student
Activities organized an initiation ritual in the Founders Room of the
Library Annex. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Edward Lynch, Associate
Professor and Department Chair of Political Science at Hollins University.
Dr. Lynch reminded the audience of the importance and value of politics
and government. He acknowledged the academic accomplishment of the students
and encouraged them to appreciate the responsibility that comes with
such recognition.
Dr. Jennifer Braaten, President
of Ferrum College, also extended congratulatory comments to the students
and faculty for bringing such a prestigious recognition to the College.
She referred to Alpha Beta Pi’s commitment to knowledge, leadership
and service since those attributes resonate loudly with Ferrum’s mission
and educational goals.
The students invited to join the
Alpha Beta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha have maintained at least a cumulative
grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of at least 3.2
in political science or international studies. The following students
initiated were: Catherine Andrews, Joanna Bosik, Jin Han, Matthew Scruggs
(Chapter Executive Secretary/Treasurer), Scott Spitzer (Chapter Vice
President), and Sandra Via (Chapter President). Dr. Samuel Payne, Professor
of Political Science and Dr. Frédéric Belle Torimiro, Associate Professor
and Coordinator of the Political Science Program were also initiated.
Dr. Torimiro will serve as the faculty advisor of the chapter at Ferrum.
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