CU Education’s Kappa Delta Pi chapter installs new members

Original Source – Oct. 13, 2013

 

Initiates of Campbellsville University’s School of Education’s Kappa Delta Pi became members of the Alpha Epsilon Omicron chapter Sunday, Oct. 13.

Dr. Donna Hedgepath, dean of the School of Education, welcomed the audience and gave an opening prayer.

She thanked the families that came in support of the initiates. “We are proud of our initiates today,” she said.

“Everyone sitting in this room is a teacher,” said Dr. Charles Hamilton, associate professor of education and chair of undergraduate programs. “You may not understand but you are. Everything you say and do has an influence on someone.”

Hamilton said that one teacher had a special impact on him when he was in middle school, and he had built a special bond with the teacher. When Hamilton had earned his doctorate, the same teacher had called him to congratulate him.

“He felt a lifelong connection with me and was able to take some pride with my career,” he said.

Hamilton said every time we come into contact with someone we influence them. He said he felt a connection with his teacher and through that students of his felt a connection with him.

“Those are the things you cannot forget. That’s what makes you a teacher. With everything you say and do, someone is watching and being influenced by it,” he said. “The greatest being to ever walk this earth was called teacher and you’ve put yourselves in the shadow of greatness.”

Dr. Beverly Ennis, associate professor of education, and Dr. Carol Garrison, professor of education, installed the new officers of the chapter: Kelly Hill, vice president; Chasity Ballard, secretary; Haley Carman, membership committee; Hannah DeJarnette, membership committee; Emily Hatley, treasure;and Jennifer Hatley, historian.

Devin Reynolds, president of KDP, announced the new initiates who received a certificate from Dr. Beverly Ennis, associate professor of education, and then signed the creed of Kappa Delta Pi.

The student initiates were: Hannah Allen of Liberty, Ky., an elementary education major; Gwendolyn Atkinson-Sample of Louisville, Ky., a teacher leader master of arts in special education major; Elisabeth Banks of New Liberty, Ky., a teacher leader master of arts in special education major; Andrea Basham of Whitesville, Ky., a teacher leader master of arts in special education major; Haley Carman of Berea, Ky., an elementary education major; Olivia Clarkson of Bardfordville, Ky., an elementary education major; Hannah DeJarnette of Alexandria, Ky., an elementary education major; Kelsie Doss of Lawrenceburg, Ky., an elementary education major; Lynzie Gray of Harrodsburg, Ky., an elementary education major; Kayla Harker of Campbellsville, Ky., an elementary education major; Anita Harris of Liberty, Ky., a teacher leader master of arts in special education major; Ashley Hatcher of Owensboro, Ky., a master of arts in education in special education- learning and behavior disorder major; Emily Hatley of Somerset, Ky., a middle grades education major; Jennifer Hatley of Somerset, Ky., an elementary education major; Jessica Hupp of Pataskala, Oh., a teacher leader master of arts in special education major; Emily Scott of Eddyville, Ky., an elementary education major; and Gayla Tungate of Lebanon, Ky., a social studies, grades 8-12 education major.

The faculty initiates were: Dr. Lisa Fulks of Lousiville, Ky., assistant professor of education; Dr. Charles Hamilton of Lebanon, Ky., associate professor of education and chair of undergraduate programs, Dr. Robin Magruder of Bardstown, Ky., assistant professor of education; and Deborah Spalding of Lebanon, Ky., assistant professor of education.

Seniors Reynolds, Hill and Ballard were presented with honor chords for graduation by Ennis and Garrison.
Rock of Ages Gospel performed special music for the event. Members include: Brooke Gupton, CU financial aid counselor for graduate and professional studies, vocalist; Josh Gupton, vocalist/piano and Aron Neil, percussion.

Jennifer Hatley said that Kappa Delta Pi was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. The Society was incorporated on June 8, 1911. The Alpha Epsilon Omicron Chapter at Campbellsville University was installed by Dr. John Light on September 27, 2009.

Hatley said the chapter participates in Literacy Alive.

“Literacy Alive is the signature service initiative for Kappa Delta Pi,” she said. “This is to reach out to the community of the Chapters and to improve the literacy skills of those who participate.”

This year’s Literacy Alive project is a proposed trip to Belize. Students will collect clothing, books and other supplies. They will visit schools, cultural sites and an orphanage.

The mission of Kappa Delta Pi is to sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship, leadership, and service. The vision of Kappa Delta Pi is to help committed educators be leaders in improving education for global citizenship.

Through its programs, services, and products, Kappa Delta Pi supports and enhances the professional growth and teaching practices of its member educators throughout the phases and levels of their teaching careers. This support is essential to inaugurating and retaining the best and brightest professionals in the field of education, according to the organization’s website.

There are 600 chapters and more than 45,000 members in the international organization.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.