Oct. 20, 2010
For Immediate Release
Students and faculty inducted in Kappa Delta Pi include from left: Front row—Marilyn Goodwin, instructor of early childhood education; Elizabeth Stewart of Campbellsville, Ky.; Ciara Phillips of Campbellsville, Ky.; Donna Vestal of Louisville, Ky.; Dr. Kathleen Filkins, associate professor of education; and Dr. Carolyn Garrison, professor of education. Back row—Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education; Dr. Priscilla Brame, assistant professor of education; Susan Blevins, assistant professor of education; Alena Maggard of Burnside, Ky.; Brittany Hahn, president of the university’s chapter; Leigh Anne Alexander; Caitlin Smith of Russell Springs, Ky.; and Norma Wheat, instructor of special education. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.— Several Campbellsville University students and education faculty were initiated into Alpha Epsilon Omicron, the university’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, in a ceremony recently in the School of Education building on campus.
The students were Alena Maggard of Burnside, Ky., elementary; Faith Manion of Leitchfield, Ky., middle grades and 8-12 English; Casey Mattingly of Loretto, Ky., P-5; Ciara Phillips of Campbellsville, Ky., middle grades English; Carolyn Ross of Elizabethtown, Ky., special education; Elizabeth Stewart of Campbellsville, Ky., elementary; and Donna Vestal of Louisville, Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education.
Faculty initiates were: Susan Blevins, assistant professor of education, and Marilyn Goodwin, instructor of early childhood education, and a reaffirmed faculty member was Dr. Priscilla Brame, assistant professor of education.
Dr. Terry Swan, professor of religion at Lindsey Wilson College and guest speaker for the event, was presented with an honorary membership in the chapter.
Swan told the students their success is not based on IQ, but on I Will. “Your education requires sheer grit and effort,” he said, “and it will require at least a master’s degree. You should never stop learning.”
He said teachers forever impacted his life. He was praised for his writing when he was eight years old; since then, he has written 20 books and has been LWC’s “Teacher of the Year” five years and was her first master teacher.
“Teachers change lives for the better,” he said. “Changed attitudes can change lives. Teachers take great pride in their students and want to see them succeed. Teachers give students new vistas.”
He said 40 percent of all freshmen do not become sophomores because they major in “fun, friends and Friday nights.” He said students are spiritual beings having human teachers.
“You have been given a sacred trust,” he said. “Teachers affect eternity,” he said.
He said God blesses the students, and they need to effectively serve God.
Dr. Brenda Priddy, dean of the School of Education, led the opening prayer and welcomed the students and their families from whom they have received the “test of love and support.”
Brittany Hahn of Severn, Md., president of Kappa Delta Pi, welcomed those being initiated into the honorary society. She said the group is promoting literacy in the classroom as a platform. She led the initiation along with Dr. Carolyn Garrison, professor of education. Garrison and Dr. Beverly Ennis, assistant professor of education, are the chapter’s co-counselors.
Leigh Anne Alexander of Campbellsville, vice president, sang “The Lord’s Prayer” a capella. Caitlin Smith of Russell Springs, Ky., secretary/treasurer, introduced the guests at the ceremony. Norma Wheat, director of the special education program, also assisted with the ceremony.
Officers of the organization who were installed are: Brittany Hahn as president; Leigh Anne Alexander of Campbellsville, vice president; Caitlin Smith of Russell Springs, Ky.; secretary/treasurer; and Dr. Beverly Ennis, assistant professor of education, centennial liaison.
The society inducts only those individuals who have exhibited the ideals of scholarship, integrity in service and commitment to excellence in teaching and its allied professions.
Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.
Founded in 1911 at the University of Illinois, Kappa Delta Pi is the largest honor society in education, representing 572 undergraduate and professional chapters and more than 45,000 active members. Its most distinguished members over the last century have included Margaret Mead, Albert Einstein, George Washington Carver, and current leaders in education Howard Gardner, Maxine Greene and Carol Gilligan.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.