The School of Communication Studies welcomes 35 new members of Lambda Pi Eta (LPH), a national honor society affiliated with the National Communication Association at Kent State University, for Fall Semester 2015. Invitations to join were sent recently to an eligible 125 communication studies majors enrolled throughout Kent State’s eight-campus system.
The national honor society of Lambda Pi Eta selects the academically top undergraduate Communication Studies students for membership, according to LPH advisor and associate professor, Rozell Duncan, Ph.D.
“That we had 125 students eligible for membership this semester alone demonstrates the academic excellence of our students. They are making their mark academically and have demonstrated their commitment to the high academic standards we expect of our students,” Duncan said.
Requirements for membership include a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA in all courses, and a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA in communication studies. They must also have at least 60 completed credit hours, 12 credit hours of which must be in communication studies.
“Our school is very proud that this semester’s class more than exceeds our expectations in the number of graduates whose high grades make them eligible for membership in Lambda Pi Eta - an organization that recognizes academic excellence in the field of communication,” Duncan said.
Of the 81 communication studies students graduating in December, 15 are Lambda Pi Eta members, or almost 19 percent of the winter semester graduating class.
In addition to an impressive addition on resumes, LPH provides members networking opportunities with fellow students and alumni, according to Vincent Siciliano, president of Kent State’s Upsilon chapter.
The Kent Chapter of LPH is an excellent opportunity to get involved and work locally within our school while being recognized nationally for academic achievement and an altruistic spirit, according to Siciliano.
“With the foundation of Aristotle's rhetoric, the context of the LPH can be applied philanthropically, which is exactly what the Kent State chapter is planning this semester,” Siciliano said.
Philanthropic plans for the semester include an adopt-a-family project to assist a family in need. A fundraising event for this project includes a video game tournament and refreshments set for Nov. 18 that will feature Mario Brothers video games and board games. The event is open to all students. Donations at the door will go to the adopt-a-family project. New and present members will meet Thursday, Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 146 Taylor to plan for the game night.
The benefits of joining Lambda Pi Eta go beyond being a student at Kent State, according to Jia Song, vice president of Lambda Pi Eta at Kent State.
“Being a member of Lambda Pi Eta not only shows your success in academic work, it also looks great on your resume whether applying for a job or for graduate school,” Song said.
Additional students will become eligible to join LPH in spring 2016. All will be recognized at the Lambda Pi Eta Induction and Scholarship Awards Reception on April 20, 2016, in Moulton Hall. The event is open to members and their guests.
In addition to Siciliano and Song, officers for academic year 2015-2016 include Sanguk Lee, secretary; Anthony Milano, treasurer; and Emily Kohut, public relations director.
For more information about Lambda Pi Eta and upcoming events, visit their facebook page, review the communication studies website and check the flyers posted in Taylor Hall.