DUNMORE, Pa. — More than 19 first-generation students and over 10 first-generation graduates were inducted into the Lambda Omicron Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society at Penn State Scranton. Assistant Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Melissa LaBuda and Director of Student Services and Engagement and Interim Director of Penn State Scranton Athletics Matt Nied spearheaded this initiative and coordinated the inaugural induction ceremony.
The induction provided first-generation students at Penn State Scranton the chance to connect with mentors from academic as well as professional disciplines.
Eligibility for induction into Tri-Alpha requires students, faculty, staff and alumni to have completed at least 30 credits at Penn State Scranton towards an associate degree or baccalaureate degree and maintained a GPA of 3.2. Additionally, neither the student’s parent(s) nor legal guardian(s) must have completed a baccalaureate degree.
Student inductees
The students inducted into Tri-Alpha are: Brendan Chen, Matthew Coggins, Ava Compton, Wersverlie Compere, Joshua Carter, Dustin Frazier, Jermin Gilbert, Jasmine Hamilton, Zachary Hensel, Drew Harsche, Devon Jones, Emily Kizer, John Evans, Ashley Reyes, Conner Sheruda, Caz Weber, Alexander Whittaker, Zamarra Vrabel and Francesca Orellana. Inductees received a pin, certificate, and cords which can be worn during Penn State Scranton’s Commencement Ceremony.
View photos from the Tri-Alpha induction at Penn State Scranton.
Tri-Alpha at Penn State Scranton
According to Penn State Scranton’s Fall 2024 enrollment, more than 370 students were flagged as being first-generation students.
Tri-Alpha, founded in 2018 at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a national honor society for first-generation college students. It now exists at colleges and universities in 39 states, recognizing academic achievements, promoting leadership and providing support networks for first-generation students.
Tri-Alpha provides a lifetime membership with various benefits, including networking opportunities, mentoring and recognition in the academic community. For more information about the Tri-Alpha Honor Society at Penn State Scranton, contact LaBuda at mal151@psu.edu or Nied at mdn11@psu.edu.
Additionally, the ceremony included an induction for the Tri-Alpha Executive Board which includes Compton (president), Vrabel (vice president) and Whittaker (treasurer).
Faculty, staff and alumni inductees
Penn State Scranton faculty, staff and alumni inducted into the honor society include: Blair Cutright, Darlene Dunay, Amy Gruzesky, Louis Ingargiola, Robert Luciani, Stephanie Longo, Janet Melnick, River Moon, Raymond Petren, Morgan Sewack and Allison Tomczyk.
Faculty, staff and alumni inducted into the honor society must have met the definition of a first-generation student at the time they completed their baccalaureate degree and be willing to serve as mentors for student members.