Freshmen, Sophomores Invited to Join First-Year Honor Society

Aiken, SC (04/03/2020) — The University of South Carolina Aiken now boasts one more student organization to the almost 100 already on campus: Alpha Lambda Delta, the national honor society for first-year success.

In conjunction with the organization's national leadership, USC Aiken invited more than 250 freshmen and sophomores to join the founding cohort at the university.

"We are excited to have Alpha Lambda Delta now on campus," said Dr. Jason Munsell, advisor for the group.

Working through ALD's national headquarters in New York, eligible students have been receiving invitations to join the honor society.

During a period of modified operations, USC Aiken is currently providing all instruction via remote teaching strategies to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Because of that, the initial deadline to accept membership invitation has been extended, and the formal chapter installation and induction ceremony is postponed until the fall semester. Regardless, Munsell is working with the national office and Christian Medders, assistant director of student life, to ensure that new USC Aiken Alpha Lambda Delta members receive their membership materials in the summer.

The national requirement is a 3.5 or higher GPA the first semester of freshmen year.

"Although the honor society is for first-year freshmen, the national leadership of Alpha Lambda Delta suggested for the first, founding cohort that we include sophomores," Munsell said.

Of those Pacers who received invitations to join, more than 140 are freshmen, and almost 115 are sophomores.

Founded in the 1920s, "Alpha Lambda Delta provides a community of scholars, a platform to develop your leadership skills, and financial support through scholarships and educational partners," according to it website.

"We have been guiding students to academic and career success for 95 years."