Fourteen FHU Students Inducted Into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society

Fourteen Freed-Hardeman University students were officially inducted into the Tennessee Iota Chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society Monday, Oct. 21, in Old Main Administration Building’s Chapel Hall.

Membership in Alpha Chi is open to students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.75 on 80 credit hours and who are in the top 10% of the junior and senior classes. This semester, all inductees have a minimum GPA of 3.92.

Alpha Chi new inductees

The following students were inducted into the organization: Hannah Ballentine, Molli Deere, Darden Goode, Mia Griffin, Aleia Klamm, Noah LaRue, Elizabeth McKeeby, Mia Morris, Kanvas Phelps, Brenley Ramey, Campbell Scott, Jensen Smith, Ben Wade and Brooke Webb.

During the austere ceremony, students were invited to bring their candles, symbolizing learning, to light from a central gold candle, symbolizing knowledge, before repeating a personal pledge of membership: “I pledge myself to uphold the purposes of Alpha Chi, striving to make its ideals my ideals, in scholarship and in service.”

New member lighting a candle to symbolize learning

Dr. John McLaughlin, Alpha Chi chapter sponsor, congratulated new members and reminded them of their responsibilities to themselves, to one another and to their school. “I charge you in making this solemn pledge of membership to guard with due diligence the scholarship of this university, the honesty and integrity of its scholars, and the moral and religious ideals of your alma mater,” he said.

Members enjoyed cake at a small reception following the ceremony

Griffin, a junior accounting and financial planning major from Rogersville, Alabama, considers it “a really big honor” to be invited to join such an esteemed organization on campus. She said she is most looking forward to participating in the service aspect of the club. “I think that even if you have the grades and the intellect, if you don’t use that for good then you’re not really fulfilling your purpose,” Griffin shared.

Throughout the academic year, Alpha Chi members will have opportunities to become involved with service projects, apply for scholarships, present original research or participate in the upcoming national convention which will be held virtually in 2025. Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi is a national academic honor society whose purpose is to recognize and promote academic excellence and character. The Tennessee Iota Chapter has existed at Freed-Hardeman since 1976.