On April 10, East Stroudsburg University’s department of political science and economics held the joint induction ceremony for the Iota Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) and Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Honor Society of Economics). At the ceremony, Mackenzie Muller’16 ’21, Chief of Staff, Pennsylvania State Senate 40th District, delivered the keynote speech. Mueller talked about her academic journey and how it led to her current job in the legislature. She highlighted the importance of teamwork and sustained efforts for one’s success. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Nieves Grunerio-Roadcap and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Karen Danna, also delivered remarks during the ceremony.
The ceremony recognized the academic achievements of the most outstanding students studying political science and economics. The membership criteria for the Iota Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha for undergraduate students is completion of a minimum of 12 credits in political science, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and a major GPA of 3.5 or better. Graduate students enrolled in degree programs of political science must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better. The membership criteria for Omicron Delta Epsilon for undergraduate students is completion of a minimum of 12 credits in economics, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and a major GPA of 3.0 or better.
A total of 10 students studying political science were inducted for the Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha: Rachel Abramson, a graduate student Waddell, Ariz.; Richermy Batista, a junior from Hazleton, Pa.; Grace Farley, a junior from Glen Mills, Pa.; Lauren Harrison, a senior from Bangor, Pa.; Zayne Kemler, a graduate student from Griffin, Ga.; Jessica Null, a graduate student from Philadelphia, Pa.; Justin Rivera, a junior from Henryville, Pa.; Omar Shah, a junior from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Swornim Shrestha, a junior from Elmhurst, N.Y.; and Kwanza Smith, a junior from East Stroudsburg, Pa.
There were two new members inducted to Omicron Delta Epsilon: Ryan Lazo, a senior studying economics from Henryville, Pa.; and Brendan Yip a senior studying marketing from Kresgeville, Pa.
In addition to induction into the honor societies, the department also recognized scholarship recipients. Richermy Batista, a junior political science major from Hazleton, Pa. was awarded the Dr. Anthony Gaglione Endowed Scholarship; Delaney Ridgell, a sophomore political science major from Mount Airy, Md., was awarded the Joseph J. McGee Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Toluwani A. Abbas, a junior political science major from East Stroudsburg, Pa., was awarded the Anna Quainoo International Student Annual Scholarship; Andrew Gullstrand, a junior majoring in economics from East Stroudsburg, Pa., received the Roger DeLarco ’80 Economic Research Endowed Award; Aaron Zaso, a senior majoring in economics from Nazareth, Pa., was awarded the Constantinos Christofides Economics Annual Scholarship; Aaron Sanchez, a senior majoring in economics from Collegeville, Pa., was awarded the Kenneth and Charlotte Starner Endowed Scholarship, and Jessica Null, a graduate student studying political science from Philadelphia, Pa., was awarded the Dr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Audrey Weber Endowed Scholarship.
Photos from the ceremony can be found on ESU’s Flickr album.
For more information about Iota Chi Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha contact Ko Mishima, Ph.D., professor of political science at (570) 422-3248 or email kmishima@esu.edu. For more information about Omicron Delta Epsilon, contact Todd Behr, associate professor of economics at (570) 422-3831 or email tbehr@esu.edu.