The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/
March 2001
Issue
How to
Make Your Induction Ceremony
Extraordinary
Formal induction ceremonies are traditionally held in the spring for most Phi Theta Kappa chapters. Whether it’s your first or fifth time to plan an induction, you’re probably looking for ideas to make your event an affair to remember.
Some of the Society’s chapters have shared their ideas on how they have added a special touch to their event.
The chapter at Napa Valley College in Napa, California, holds their induction either in a gym or hall. According to chapter advisor Dr. Melody Seymour, the chapter turns what could be a negative—the gym is not well-lighted— into a positive by taking advantage of the atmosphere. The chapter holds the ceremony in semi-darkness, which enables the chapter to spotlight inductees as they file by to sign the chapter notebook. Later, as they stand in darkness with only the light from flickering candles, Dr. Seymour speaks to the new inductees about scholars studying by candlelight, hour by hour, through the night for thousands of years before them. Now the new inductees can take pride that they also have earned the right to be called scholars. “This is not something that is given to them,” says Seymour, “but an honor they have earned, hour by hour.”
Chapters also use the induction ceremony as an opportunity to conduct other chapter business. AnnaMay Stern, advisor at Cochise College in Douglas, Arizona, uses the induction ceremony as an officer installation ceremony as well. This gives the new inductees an opportunity to witness this event and to meet their new chapter officers. Adding prestige to the installation ceremony is the college president, Dr. Karen Nicodemus. “The participation of the college president makes this a very meaningful event for our new members and officers,” says Stern.
Not all inductions are held in the spring; in fact, some chapters take advantage of the lazy days of summer to welcome new members. The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York, began holding summer inductions two years ago to increase membership. This past summer the chapter inducted 122 members with more than 450 faculty, staff and family members in attendance! Another benefit of holding summer inductions has been greater attendance at the orientation. According to chapter advisor Jodi Oriel, “During the summer semester, students do not carry a full load of classes and can more easily make time to come to the orientation.”
Chapter president Tamara Fosnight of Ivy Tech State College in Anderson, Indiana, says their chapter uses music and noteworthy speakers to enhance their induction ceremony. To set a more formal tone for the occasion, they invited a live harpist to play classical music and the Phi Theta Kappa Song. There were several speakers, including two regional officers and 1999-2000 North Central Vice President (and fellow Hoosier) Jim Hamric.
The chapter has also benefited from their relationship with the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado. A friendship has developed between these two chapters that has resulted in a revitalization of the Ivy Tech chapter. Ron Greenwell, chapter president at Pueblo, has even traveled to Indiana to serve as an induction ceremony speaker.
Melissa Pedone, advisor at Valencia Community College’s Osceola Campus in Kissimmee, Florida, has found a solution to the challenge of finding a vocalist to sing the Phi Theta Kappa Song. Instead, the new inductees read the song aloud as a poem during the induction ceremony.
Whatever your chapter chooses to do, take pride in the fact that the induction ceremony is an honored tradition to be remembered by all who attend as well as all who participate. Your new inductees will appreciate the time and effort that you put into making this a special occasion.
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