UAM Alpha Chi Members Participate in National Convention
Members and sponsors of the Arkansas Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi College Honor Society attended the National Convention on March 30 through April 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The convention drew student scholars and their sponsors from across the United States. The University of Arkansas at Monticello delegation included Mark Hairston, a biology major; Cade Wilkerson, a chemistry major; Austin Hammons, a graduate student and an assistant sponsor; and Dr. Carol Strong and Dr. Kate Stewart, chapter sponsors. The delegates attended a variety of scholarly presentations, participated in the Region II business meetings, took second place in the Trivia Contest and enjoyed an excursion on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway.
Mark Hairston presented his research project, entitled “Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Feral Hogs in Southeast Arkansas,” at a session that included science students from Hawaii Pacific University. Dr. Kate Stewart, professor of English at UAM, serves as secretary of Region II and is an at-large member of the National Council. As a member of the Council’s Scholarship Committee, she judged candidates for the Pryor Graduate Fellowships, which recognize alumni members who are actively enrolled in graduate and professional programs. Dr. Carol Strong, professor of Political Science at UAM, serves as the immediate past president of Region II, and Cade Wilkerson serves as the voting delegate for the chapter.
According to its website, Alpha Chi “is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, the nation's only accreditation association for university honor societies” and only invites the top ten percent of eligible college juniors, seniors and graduate students to join. Alpha Chi promotes student creativity and research, excellence and service in action, personal growth through diversity, equipping compassionate listeners and leaders, academic and professional mentoring and making scholarship effective for good.
The society celebrated its 100th year in 2022; the Arkansas Zeta Chapter was established in 1956. UAM’s chapter has been recognized as a Star Chapter, the highest honor a local chapter can receive, and students have won national and regional fellowships and scholarships for their original research.