Indianapolis, IN (April 2009) – On Sunday, April 19, at 3:00 p.m. IUPUI University College will hold its annual Honors Ceremony at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Freshmen student scholars will pledge into the academic honor societies of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, and Alpha Sigma Lambda. Altogether 302 students will be honored from the following groups: Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Sigma Lambda, Bepko Scholars, Chancellor’s Scholars and honorable mentions, Herbert Presidential Scholars, Honors Scholars, and Plater Distinguished Scholars.
The annual Honors Ceremony recognizes IUPUI freshmen students who have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average for their first academic year. It honors these students and their families for their hard work and dedication to academics, school, and community service. The guest speaker for the event, Gerald Bepko, is a prominent name in the IUPUI community. A former chancellor at IUPUI, Bepko is currently an IU Trustee Professor and Professor of Law, IU School of Law-Indianapolis. Bepko also has been a member of the Indiana University Health Program since it began.
The ceremony will begin with a processional of all student scholars, followed by academic advisors and faculty in full regalia. Faculty and advisors will also be honored for their professional achievements and contributions to University College and its students during the ceremony.
A reception will be held after the ceremony in the Scottish Rite Cathedral ballroom where the student scholars and their families and guests will be able to interact with advisors, faculty, and deans of University College.
Music before the ceremony and for the processional and recessional will be provided by Dr. Darrell Bailey, Dean of the IU School of Informatics and IUPUI New Media Program. During the ceremony, a seven-piece jazz ensemble will play an original piece, “Jazz Celebration,” written by David Baker, Distinguished Professor of Music at the IU Jacobs School of Music. During the reception, music will be provided by Dr. Monika Herzig of the IU School of Music at IUPUI.
Lisa Ruch, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Honors Program at IUPUI, has been the IUPUI Alpha Lambda Delta chapter advisor for the past thirteen years and won the Maintaining the Flame award at the Alpha Lambda Delta National Convention in 2008. This award goes to chapters that strive to make considerable efforts to move forward within a four-year span. Ruch serves on the Alpha Lambda Delta executive council as the Alpha Lambda Delta National Vice President for Chapter Relations and Expansion.