Students, faculty members, teachers and administrators take part in the second induction ceremony for the University of Houston-Victoria chapter of Kappa Delta Pi.

The Alpha Zeta Lambda chapter of Kappa Delta Pi recently held its second ceremony, installing 19 new students, faculty members, teachers and administrators into the education honor society at the University of Houston-Victoria.

Blair Kelly

Established in August 2011, the chapter in the UHV School of Education & Human Development has members in Victoria and Cinco Ranch. The first initiation ceremony, held in February, used Interactive Television to install members at each location. After that event, officers felt it was important to bring members together at one location for future installations, said Blair Kelly, Alpha Zeta Lambda co-president. The most recent installation was held at the UH System at Cinco Ranch.

“We will be alternating initiation ceremony locations between Victoria and Cinco Ranch to allow members to get together more often,” Kelly said. “It’s important for us to interact with our counterparts in a face-to-face environment to get the full effect of the honor society.”

Fred Litton

Family and friends gathered in Cinco Ranch to watch the new members get installed. The event also included a keynote address from Fred Litton, dean of the UHV School of Education & Human Development.

During his address, Litton spoke about historical achievements of teaching through technology and testing, as well as the service that goes into educating students.

“There is a need in this world for people to contribute to society,” Litton said. “Teaching is a noble profession as teachers are doing something for others, despite the challenges they face. I commend these students for knowing what they want to do with their life and giving back to others.”

New members of the honor society are:
Autumn Buch, Cuero
Tamara Lackey, Cypress
Bob Lynch Jr., Houston
Ashley Mazac, Houston
Shannon Coburn, Katy
Tammy Griffin, Katy
Ashleigh Kellis-Carr, Katy
Bo Bowen, Missouri City
Christine Gold, Moulton
Blanca Zurita, Pattison
Aquita Austin, Richmond
Amanda Duty, Rosenberg
Juan Saldana, Shiner
Tamara Carman, Victoria
Anthony Irwin, Victoria
Fred Litton, Victoria
Meagan Moyers, Victoria
Denise Rushing, Victoria
Keith St. Clare, Victoria

Beyond initiation ceremonies and meetings, the chapter holds a variety of service projects to help the community and bring members together. At the beginning of the semester, they organized a school supplies drive. They also raised $1,200 for Autism Speaks, a nonprofit organization that offers awareness and funding for autism research.

Later in the semester, chapter members will participate in an adoption event at the Texas Zoo, host a fundraiser bowl-a-thon in Houston and promote literacy in local schools through the Kappa Delta Pi Literacy Alive! initiative.

“We try to provide a lot of different service projects each semester so our members have the opportunity to participate in something that interests them,” Kelly said.

Invitations to join the honor society are extended to education majors who have completed 30 semester hours or more and have at least a 3.0 grade-point average. The next initiation will be in Victoria during the spring semester.

“Having an education honor society at UHV allows us to recognize students and their academic achievements,” Litton said. “It also is a great opportunity to bring together students and faculty outside of the classroom.”

More information about the UHV chapter of Kappa Delta Pi and other student organizations can be found at www.uhv.edu/student-life-and-services/student-organizations/list-of-organizations/.