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Freshmen Recognized for Academic Achievement

The Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society inducted 139 first-year students with a 3.5 grade point average or higher on Saturday, March 8 in Pollack Theater.

Mathbor, advisor for the honor society, said the ceremony helps to reward and encourage superior scholarships among freshman after their first semester of college. “First semester of their first year at the University is a big transition from high school to university. Therefore, recognition of freshmen for their hard work and academic excellence makes them feel cared [for] by the institution they have chosen to pursue their higher education,” Mathbor said.

Throughout the US, more than one million freshmen have been inducted into the society, promoting academic excellence among freshman in over 200 chapters.

Jackie Duvally, an inductee and undeclared freshman, said, “Being able to be a part of Phi Eta Sigma definitely gives me motivation to perform better during the rest of my time at Monmouth. Knowing the effort I put in during my first semester got me to this point, I know I will continue to work just as hard to keep my grades up.”

Vincent J. Bove, Board Certified Protection Professional, Leadership, Character and Security Educator spoke during the ceremony and explained that these students have the ability to “resuscitate” the nation. He provided examples of the many students around the US who get involved with drugs, alcohol and violence, and expressed that the students of Phi Eta Sigma can be the ones to change this course through their “character and academic achievement.”

Rianna Rae, an inductee and international business major, said she enjoyed Bove’s speech. “He really engaged the audience with his use of current, real world issues. I think it’s very important to recognize that the world can be a better place and our generation can be the change the world needs.”

Rae continued, “I got chills seeing friends and family of inductees standing and applauding us knowing that they believe we, as inductees, can really make a difference on campus, in the local community and the world if we so choose.”

Phi Eta Sigma Historian and sophomore, Taylor Bernosky, also spoke at the event, stating the three qualities she believes should be present in the new members: “a well-disciplined mind, a well-cared for body and an unimpeachable character.” She said, “I believe that these three qualities together form a well-rounded person and someone that sets forth great examples for others.”

Over the years at the University, the Phi Eta Sigma students have been contributing to the betterment of the school. “In the most recent years, the students have been quite active and have taken advantage of the University’s resources. They have participated in Relay for Life, the Big Event and other smaller scale volunteering opportunities,” said Alexis DeCarvalho, Vice President for Phi Eta Sigma and a junior communication major.

Unfortunately, there has been a decrease in the number of inducted members in the past few years. “We had a smaller freshman class this year, so although the membership went from 230 to 175, the percentage of eligible students in relation to the first-year population remained the same,” Lisa Henry, Office Coordinator for First Year Advising, said.

Regardless of this, Henry added that the society provides the students with different opportunities throughout their membership. “With this membership comes opportunities to be active within the Monmouth University chapter, it identifies them as having exceptional academic abilities to graduate schools and potential employers, and it gives the executive board members the chance to attend the national convention and leadership workshop,” Henry said.

Mathbor expressed his hopes that students will continue to maintain academic excellence in their future careers. “The biggest takeaway the students receive is how to take care of each other, maintaining academic honesty, integrity, and becoming a person of character. As I said to new inductees, remember, character is your destiny,” Mathbor said.

The University established the 272nd chapter of Phi Eta Sigma in 1987, according to Dr. Golam M. Mathbor, Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Phi Eta Sigma was organized at the University of Illinois in 1923 as a men’s fraternity, and in 1975 began accepting female scholars. The society stands by the motto “Knowledge is Power.”

Phi Eta Sigma inducted the new members on Saturday at the ceremony, with the exclusion of 36 new members, along with their family and friends, Phi Eta Sigma officers, the induction ceremony committee, and the guest speaker. Refreshments and a PowerPoint slide were featured at the event as well.

PHOTO COURTESY of Brian Kutner