On a brisk and snowy Saturday, 279 outstanding Kent State students arrived at Cartwright Hall to be welcomed into Kent State University’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta: The Honors Society for First-Year Academic Success (ALD) at the annual induction ceremony.
ALD is a certified member of the Association of College Honors Societies that is committed to providing high-achieving students with valuable service, leadership and scholarship opportunities. For over 100 years, ALD has been inviting first-year students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher to join a community of like-minded scholars pursuing academic and career success.
“Every ALD member brings unique qualities to the group, making it truly special,” said Kent State ALD chapter Vice President Alex Miller. “Our members value academic excellence, leadership, integrity and service. They are eager to grow while making a positive impact in the community.”
Kent State ALD chapter advisor and Honors College advising coordinator, Lauren Huffman, remarked on the February 15, 2025, induction ceremony’s significance: "The Alpha Lambda Delta Induction & Awards Ceremony is a fantastic opportunity for students to be recognized for their hard work and to celebrate their achievements with their loved ones. We're excited to welcome new members to our community of scholars and to celebrate the awards of our continuing members for their ongoing involvement with ALD.”
Keynote speaker, Honors College Dean Alison J. Smith, Ph.D., opened the ceremony. Smith called induction into ALD “the first of many academic honors” that the students would achieve and “a wonderful first step.” Smith closed her address by thanking new members’ family and friends for their lifelong support and guidance.
Loved ones and faculty members looked on as inductees recited the ALD new member pledge with Communication Co-Chair Alexandria Bentley. Then, ALD officers recognized each new member individually by name.
Honors were given to current ALD members towards the end of the ceremony. Huffman recognized outstanding ALD members from previous induction classes and announced this year’s ALD scholarship recipients, and Kent State ALD chapter President Lauren Reed presented qualified, graduating seniors with their ALD cords.
Inductee Leda Stayanch, a nursing major from Ohio, shared that ALD is an “exciting opportunity to meet a like-minded community of people” and she is “looking forward to the leadership opportunities” that ALD offers.
Included in ALD’s many leadership opportunities are an annual leadership conference, biannual virtual leadership summits and online leadership and career development workshops.
Chapter President Lauren Reed shared that ALD’s leadership opportunities are one of her favorite parts of the organization. “Specifically, I loved attending the leadership conferences with ALD! I had the opportunity to travel and speak at each of these conferences. It was a great experience.”
ALD also provides numerous volunteer opportunities for its members. Vinaya Patel, Kent State ALD chapter Communication Co-Chair said, “Through ALD’s volunteer opportunities, I've been able to give back to the community and curate my leadership skills along the way.”
For more information on the Kent State ALD chapter, visit their Instagram @ald_kentstate or their local chapter webpage on the Kent State University Honors College website.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: Kent State chapter ALD officers stand for a group photo behind the ALD ballon backdrop before the ceremony.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312