Sigma Eta—UC’s First Honor Society Chapter

Induction Ceremony for Adelphi University’s Sigma Eta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda.

by Chris Gasiewski

The 40th anniversary isn’t the only news that University College is celebrating this fall.

The College has created Sigma Eta—a chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for nontraditional undergraduate students. The College inducted 12 students into the chapter during a ceremony on November 13.

“University College is very pleased to announce that we have started a chapter of the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society for adult undergraduate students,” said Shawn O’Riley, Ed.D., dean of University College. “The Sigma Eta chapter honored 12 new inductees this fall who have demonstrated consistent academic excellence during their time in University College.”

To those students inducted, it is truly an honor.

“A few years ago, I decided to return to school. I did not attend college after high school and I’ve always felt something was missing. I have worked very hard these past few years and it is very rewarding to see my efforts recognized,” said Dorene Cartwright, a senior who plans to pursue a master’s degree in childhood education. “The honor of being inducted to Alpha Sigma Lambda gives me the confidence and reassurance I need to continue on my path of becoming a teacher.”

Anne Cowan, an administrative assistant in Adelphi’s Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders who is pursuing a bachelor’s in social sciences, added: “I was excited and am glad to be part of the newly formed honor society. I take my education here at Adelphi University seriously and have worked diligently over the past couple of years…The fact that some of us are being inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda is a great honor.”

Alpha Sigma Lambda’s roots date back to the winter of 1945-1946, when Rollin B. Posey—then dean of Northwestern University’s University College—founded a society that honored evening student’s scholastic achievements. His vision was to acknowledge those who juggled life responsibilities and collegiate work while achieving and maintaining high grades.

Sigma Eta’s mission mirrors those principles.

“University College is proud to have started Sigma Eta,” said Director of Advising and Student Services Jaime Pober, who spearheaded the chapter’s creation. “This is the first honor society that University College has offered to its students. The first class will include the top 20 percent of all University College students that have a 3.5 GPA or higher.”