Nine Student Scholars Inducted Into Alpha Chi Honor Society

The Tennessee Iota Chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society officially welcomed nine new student members into its ranks during a spring induction ceremony Monday, March 3, in Old Chapel Hall.

The ceremony was presided over by Dr. John McLaughlin, FHU’s Alpha Chi chapter sponsor, who welcomed guests and explained the requirements and expectations for membership. To be invited, a student must have completed at least 80 credit hours, hold a minimum 3.75 GPA and rank in the top 10% of the junior or senior class. This spring, all new inductees had a GPA of at least a 3.97.

Nine new members are welcomed into the Alpha Chi National Honors Society.

Newly inducted members are: Griffin Collins, majoring in finance, law and politics; Ben Cooper, majoring in management and accounting; Miriam Gallagher, majoring in Spanish; Molly King, majoring in nursing; Annabelle Lockridge, majoring in accounting; Caroline Ramey, majoring in psychology; Julieth Rivera, majoring in sports administration and accounting; Jessie Segars, majoring in interdisciplinary studies: elementary education; and Renae Tabor, majoring in English.

Cooper, a junior inductee from Fairview, North Carolina, felt gratified that his years of hard work are beginning to pay off. “Much of what we do, especially as academic-focused students, happens behind the scenes—studying in dorm rooms and the library,” he said. “Being inducted into Alpha Chi represents the payoff and recognition of that effort.”

Members in Alpha Chi come from all academic disciplines on campus. In addition to being recognized in the program at graduation, they are eligible to participate in a national meeting each year where they can share their research or artistic compositions with other members from across the nation. They are also eligible to apply for scholarships and graduate fellowships through the organization.

These opportunities for future success are important to Cooper, as well. “I plan to go to grad school when I’m done here,” he shared, “so I’m excited to see the opportunities in student aid that can help me get there.”

Junior Ben Cooper recites the Alpha Chi pledge of membership.

Junior Annabelle Lockridge, of Henderson, Tennessee, is also grateful for this honor. “As someone who takes her education seriously, I’ve been hard on myself over the years. So it means a lot to be recognized,” she said. “But it’s also nice because this has been going on for so long and there are so many names in that book. It’s very important and special to be included in that.”

As part of their induction, each new member was asked to add his or her name to a special book that contains a roster of members through the years. Since 1976, every FHU Alpha Chi member has signed this book, creating a lasting record of the university’s top scholars.

At the close of the ceremony, McLaughlin reminded students and guests that the core values of truth and character lie at the heart of the organization. “Our motto, ‘Making scholarship effective for good,’ exemplifies our members’ commitment to academic excellence and service.”

The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.