This week, two Oglethorpe University academic honor societies hosted a joint ceremony to welcome its newest members. Psychology honor society Psi Chi and sociology honor society Alpha Kappa Delta each inducted 11 new members into its ranks.

Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, was founded in 1929 with a mission of recognizing and promoting excellence in the science and application of psychology. The OU chapter of Psi Chi was founded in 1985 and has been active ever since.

The 11 students inducted into Psi Chi this year are:

The newest members of Oglethorpe’s psychology honor society Psi Chi student pictured with existing student members.

Sarah Clayton
Emily Moore
Maddie Case
Daramaris Ceron
Miyah Jones
David Martinez-Alvarez
Stephanie Pedroza
Catie Rooks
Abigail Brunton
Lucy Laudicina
Tien Nguyen

“I believe being in Psi Chi is always a great resume booster, but the feeling of being in such a prestigious society hits you when you are inducted,” shared senior Jose Valtierra ’24, who serves as the president of Psi Chi. “You are surrounded by classmates who excel in psychology and do amazing research so it pushes you to do better alongside them.”

Founded in 1920, international honor society Alpha Kappa Delta recognizes the highest achieving sociology majors and minors and seeks to promote excellence in scholarship in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to improvement in the human condition.

The following students were inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta this year, the most since it was established on campus in 2021:

The newest members of sociology honor society Alpha Kappa Delta were inducted on April 16.

Madalin Baker
Morgan Mayberry
Lacey Frye
Lillian Coleman
Jamie Simpson
Sarah Farmer
Sophie Benaroch
Mackenzie Roberson
Addalee Bragg
Amanda Cason
Sofia Rivera Navarro

“AKD recognizes academic excellence in the study of sociology and the pursuit of social justice,” said advisor Dr. Janelle Pham. “I’m thrilled to have inducted our largest class ever, with 11 new members, from diverse academic backgrounds — economics, communications, biology among them. My goal is for students to see that sociology is for everyone, not just as students but as engaged citizens.”