MonticelloLive

An academic fraternity at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will be honored for excellence at the organization’s national convention March 15-17 in San Antonio, Tex.

The Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi national collegiate honor society has been selected as one of 34 chapters nationwide to receive a Star Chapter Award honoring chapter activities during the 2005-06 school year.

Star Chapter Award winners must have a sponsor and student at the national or regional convention, have at least one student presentation at the convention, have a Benedict Fellowship or a Nolle Scholarship nominee, sponsor one scholarly program on campus, induct and register members, and file an annual chapter report. The Benedict Fellowship is a $2,500 award for graduate study while the Nolle Scholarship is a $1,500 award for undergraduates.

Last year, UAM Alpha Chi members Christine Bryant, Amanda Haught and Rhiannon Cabinass attended the Alpha Chi regional convention in Dallas with faculty sponsors Kate Stewart and Angela Marsh. Haught and Cabinass presented papers at the convention.

The UAM chapter also sponsors an annual Academic Olympics in a quiz bowl format. This year’s event is scheduled for March 20 and 22.

“The Star Chapter Award is a prestigious honor and recognizes the work of an outstanding group of students,” said Stewart, a professor of English and Zeta chapter sponsor. “It puts our chapter in good company with chapters at outstanding colleges and universities throughout the country.”

Alpha Chi is a coeducational academic honor society. Since 1922, its purpose has been to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction.

Current UAM students who are members of Alpha Chi are Esbeida Higginbotham of Hermitage, Pablo Andres Bacon of Monticello, Jennifer Brown of Hamburg, Rose Go of Dumas, Tamara Grider of Rison, Robert Hargis of Monticello, Amanda LeeAnn Haught of McGehee, Maranda Henley of Rison, John-Ryan House of Benton, Ashley Holloway of Jefferson, Tex., John Justin Jenkins of Monticello, Jennifer Lewis of Warren, Jennifer Leanne Mann of Jersey, Tracie Montgomery of Warren, Courtnie Slingerland Morgan of Star City, Katy Murray of Elaine, Sarah Reed of McKinney, Tex., Danny Rowe of Monticello, Terrance Cody Rowland of Kingsland, Reyhan Rzayeva of Star City, Amanda Temple of Hermitage, Brigitte Thomas-Clark of Warren, Josh Allan Tooke of Monticello, Vanessa Waite of Conway, and Candace West of Eudora.