The 2023 Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society Induction Ceremony took place Tuesday, March 7, in celebration of the academic accomplishments of 19 Graduate School of Education (GSE) students, honoring and recognizing their high level of academic achievement and commitment to the field of education.
Membership in Fordham’s Lambda Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) requires:
- Active matriculation in a master’s or doctoral program in the Graduate School of Education (minimum of 14 credits completed);
- Achievement of a minimum 3.7 grade point average in all graduate work;
- Potential for scholarship, leadership, and service.
Most importantly, KDP fosters inquiry and reflection about significant educational issues and maintains a high degree of professional fellowship. With these particular values in mind, Fordham GSE’s current KDP members honored and welcomed new members who had met the chapter’s requirements.
The program began with welcome and introductory remarks by GSE dean José Luis Alvarado, Ph.D., followed by remarks from Ruth Zealand, Ph.D., professor of education, Manhattan College, and faculty advisor of the Mu Sigma Chapter of KDP at Manhattan College; Marilyn Bisberg, professor and KDP faculty advisor; and Robert Niewiadomski, assistant clinical professor and KDP faculty advisor. Closing remarks were provided by Aida Nevárez-La Torre, Ed.D., Chair, GSE Curriculum and Teaching Division.
Dean Alvarado emphasized, “We are proud of our Fordham student scholars. We are proud of their high academic achievement and even more proud of their commitment to serving others and contributing, as teachers and educators, to impacting underserved communities and making this world a better place. As we live our values, we practice our vision, for we know that it is the doers who create impact. Congratulations to all of our Kappa Delta Pi 2023 inductees.”
During her remarks, Professor Zealand acknowledged how brilliant KDP students are and stated her belief that they would bring their best qualities to their future educational endeavors. She praised the students for their resilience during a difficult time due to the pandemic. She concluded that the KDP inductees could truly affect change as educational leaders.
Inductee Leslie Abreu addressed the audience, saying she was honored to stand in front of them and to be recognized with her fellow inductees. She congratulated her colleagues on their incredible mutual achievements and noted their dedication to the education profession.
Student Lovell Quiroz then recited KDP’s values. Subsequently, Bisberg administered the KDP pledge to all the new inductees, after which Nevárez-La Torre and Niewiadomski distributed their KDP certificates. Nevárez-La Torre shared these thoughts during her closing remarks: “As a novice teacher, you make your classroom a supportive community. As a researcher, you will support all learners’ growth and development. Celebrate all your talents tonight. And congratulations on behalf of the curriculum and teaching division faculty and the extended GSE community! We are delighted to celebrate this moment with you.”
The 19 spring 2023 inductees into Fordham’s Lambda Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society are: Leslie A. Abreu; Katherine Akerley; Aimee Almonte; Ksenia Anisimova; Lakisha Atkins; Leanne Aust; Alexandra Chmil; Katerina Hadjipavlis; Margaret Hennelly; Dylan Libman; Jazlyn Mena; Simone Nelson; Sandra Puglisi; Lovell Quiroz; Christine Reyes Posligua; Jennifer Ross; Bradford Shin; Shanna Silien; and Nicole Smith.
Student inductee Alexandra Chmil stated, “I’m so proud to be part of KDP and part of Fordham’s Lambda Xi Chapter.” Fellow student Lakisha Atkins added, “I’m grateful to be inducted into KDP; this is truly a blessing. School was a challenging for me when I was young, so I am particularly happy I earned this recognition.”
About Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Nationally, Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) is dedicated to recognizing scholarship and excellence in education. It promotes the development and dissemination of worthy educational ideas and practices by enhancing its diverse membership’s continuous growth and leadership. Although initially formed in 1904, KDP was not established as a national organization until 1924. Since then, KDP has grown to include more than 55,000 members in 665 chapters worldwide. The organization’s first international chapter was installed in 1981.
