Society's First Ivy League Alumni Association Chartered at Columbia University
On April 12, the first-ever alumni association of Phi Theta Kappa on an Ivy
League campus was chartered at Columbia University.
The charter
members included James Agapoff, Pamela Arteaga, Mata Anquinette, La Nae
Barry, Cheryl Berg, Jose Blanco, Sr., Robert Brink, Anthony Carter, Jesse
Dean.
Also, Akua Graf, Mary Jane Gramarosso-Elliston, Krystine
Keeler, Michael Klein, Scott Kunkle, Katlin Madisson, Adriane Price,
Vanja Radoncic, Mia Ramos, Jasmin Rivera.
Lindsay Rhebb, James
Romberger, Rachel Schlesinger, David Sin, Marguerite Van Cook, Antoinette
Vo, Akillah Wali, Amy Watkins and Joshua Weinberg.
"The evening
began our official journey to unite the community college and university
worlds," said Lindsay Rhebb, Charter Vice President and 2008-2009 President.
"By constructing a community of individuals with similar pasts,
we hope to build a bridge into the complex future. It is surely challenging
for many individuals to make the shift from the two-year college to the four-year
university, especially an Ivy League university. The Columbia University
Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association hopes to provide a solid foundation
upon which future officers and members can build a concrete support structure
for incoming students by offering them an immediate family when they arrive
at Columbia," Rhebb said.
"We have set goals to adopt a local
two-year chapter, participate in at least one community service event
per semester, host at least one fellowship event per semester, and grow
into a well-known, active presence on campus," she continued.
Charter
advisor Dean Phil Mendoza led the processional of officers and members.
Mia Ramos, Charter President and a past International Officer, welcomed
all attendees, and Rhebb welcomed honored guests and inductees. Amy Watkins,
Charter Secretary, introduced a slideshow of pictures from the 2008 International
Convention.
Charter Treasurer Jesse Dean introduced the evening's
speakers, who included the Dean of Columbia University School of General
Studies, Peter Awn; Phi Theta Kappa 2007-2008 International President
Casey Maliszewski; Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters Representative Amanda
Acquard; and New York Regional Alumni Representative Scott Transue.
Amanda Acquard presented Dean Awn with the official charter.
Mary McGee, Columbia University School of General Studies Dean of
Students, announced the names and majors of the inductees. Awn and Maliszewski
congratulated the inductees and presented them with their membership
certificates. Charter officers were sworn in by Acquard.
For
information about alumni associations and programs and opportunities
for alumni, contact Alumni Relations Coordinator Courtney
Taylor at 601.984.3577.
