Westminster College's Kappa Delta Pi Honored at Convocation

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Three senior early childhood/special education majors who are members of the Westminster College chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education accepted two honors on the chapter's behalf. The honors were presented at the Kappa Delta Pi's 49th Biennial Convocation Oct. 23-26 in Dallas.

• Sarah Carlson, a membership chair, is a daughter of Eric Haurilesko and Patricia Carlson-Haurilesko of Trafford and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School.
• Michael Pandolph, president, is a son of Martin and Nancy Pandolph and a graduate of Bethel Park Senior High School.
• Alexandra Taylor, a membership chair, is a daughter of Brian and Elaine Taylor and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.

The students were accompanied by chapter adviser Dr. Alison DuBois, Westminster assistant professor of education.

The chapter received the Program Award, recognizing their outstanding community service activities, specifically their annual children's author visit. In April, the chapter hosted author Charles R. Smith, Jr., a Coretta Scott King Award-winning author who has written more than 30 books with subjects ranging from basketball, Negro League baseball, American diversity and Greek mythology. Smith has been honored for the ability to make reluctant readers read his books.

The chapter was also honored with the Bronze Achievement Award for their Literacy Alive! program, the national organization's signature service initiative. Kappa Delta Pi's worldwide members have organized activities such as book drives and literacy programs at local libraries; as well as projects with disadvantaged children, military families, and victims of natural disasters.

The Westminster chapter held The Great Book Drive, a campus-wide event that resulted in hundreds of books being donated to the Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County library, the Kiwanis Club, and various children's organizations in Lawrence County.

While at the conference the students and DuBois attended workshops on such topics as assistive technology for students with disabilities in general education, the ins and outs of parent/teacher conferences, active learning for a multicultural world, a hands on way to connect your students with literacy, successful teaching practices built on intercultural competence, and more.

Kappa Delta Pi has more than 600 chapters and 42,000 members. The Westminster chapter was founded in 1937. Requirements for membership include being in the top 10-15 percent of your sophomore level class, admittance to the prescribed program of teacher education, and current enrollment in an education class. The mission of the organization is to recognize scholarship and excellence in education, promote the development and dissemination of worthy educational ideas and practices, enhance the growth and leadership of its members, to foster inquiry and reflection on educational issues, and to maintain professional membership.

Contact DuBois at 724-946-6039 or email for additional information.

Westminster College Kappa Delta Pi members and the chapter adviser accept an award at the organization's 49th Biennial Convocation. (L-R): Dr. Alison DuBois, Michael Pandolph, Alex Taylor, and Sarah Carlson.