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USC Aiken Students Inducted into Social Sciences Honor Society

Aiken, SC (04/03/2018) — Several students at the University of South Carolina Aiken were inducted into Pi Gamma Mu, the oldest honor society dedicated to the social sciences.

"[Membership means] being connected with a diverse group of people who have similar goals of excellence, commitment to service, and [it means] having an opportunity to come together to help others," said Heather Nall, president of USC Aiken's Pi Gamma Mu.

Pi Gamma Mu aims to recognize "superior scholarship in social-science disciplines," which are considered to be those dedicated to understanding and explaining human behavior and relationships. These fields of study include: history, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, international relations, criminal justice, social work, social philosophy, history of education, and cultural/human geography.

"Membership is also extended to interdisciplinary social-science areas that build on the core social-science disciplines, such as business and society, education, minority studies, public administration, international studies, public finance, leadership studies, consumer behavior, public policy and organizational behavior," according to the organization's website.

To be eligible for membership, students must complete at least 20 credits in the social sciences; maintain an average of "B" or greater in all social sciences courses; and rank in the top 35 percent of their class. Students do not need to major in the social sciences to qualify for membership.

"I am extremely proud of our new inductees," said Dr. Melencia Johnson, assistant professor of sociology.

"They have gone above and beyond to achieve academic success, and this induction serves as their public recognition."

The following USC Aiken juniors were inducted into Pi Gamma Mu at the international level:

Jessalin Rose Good, a psychology major

Ashaad Dominique Hipps, a sociology major

Miranda Elisabeth Mullins, a secondary education major

David Charles Stribling, a sociology major

The following USC Aiken sophomores were inducted into Pi Gamma Mu as associate members at the university level:

Tiffany Zorn, a secondary education major

Abigail Rice, a history major

Nami Johnson was the keynote speaker during the induction ceremony. She shared insight with Pi Gamma Mu's newest members based on her experience as a case manager, victim service provider, and victim advocate at the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons located in Aiken.

"I am a person who loves people. I love the community work I do because it is a part of me," she said.

"When you go into a [social science] field, you can do great things. You can mold the field to shape your passions."

USC Aiken's Pi Gamma Mu Chapter has been nominated for the university's 2018 S.E.R.V.I.C.E. Award and the 2018 Most Improved Organization of the Year Award. Winners of these awards will be announced during the USC Aiken Student Life Leadership Awards Banquet on April 11.

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USC Aiken Students Inducted into Social Sciences Honor Society

From left, Dr. Melencia Johnson, Dr. Jeff Priest, Dr. Mark Hollingsworth, David Stribling, Abby Rice, Tiffany Zorn, Jessalin Good, Brye Epley, Dr. Philip Mason, Nami Johnson, Drew Stribling, and Heather Nall

Heather

Nall