CONTACT: Sharon Joy
318 357-5754; 832 978-6145
NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars inducted six new members on April 18 via Zoom.
The members of Phi Beta Delta include faculty, staff and students who are selected on the basis of their international orientation, scholarship accomplishment and/or contribution to international exchange. New faculty/staff members are Dr. Keicia Hawkins, associate professor of Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership; Dr. MD Shahriar Hossain, assistant professor of Engineering Technology; Dr. Allison Rittmayer, associate professor of Film Studies and Southern Literature, and Dr. James Allen Smith, professor of Business. New student members include graduating senior in Psychology Katelyn Benge and Megan Parks, Scholars College Liberal Arts Major.
Sarah Lindell, International President of Phi Beta Delta attended and addressed the attendees.
Phi Beta Delta is the first honor society in the United States to recognize scholarship achievement in international education. It was established in 1987 and now has over 200 chapters at universities in the United States and around the world. Its goals are to increase the recognition, credibility and importance of the international experience and create a catalyst for international academic-based programming on college campuses while providing support and recognition to those individuals on campuses who are involved in international endeavors.
The Northwestern State University Chapter of Phi Beta Delta received its charter in April 2010 with the induction of 25 faculty, staff and student members. This academic year Phi Beta Delta presented three Language and Culture Sessions and awarded a scholarship to Benge. The Eta Mu Chapter at NSU is committed to supporting international students, domestic students who are interested in international travel and affairs, and faculty and staff who engage in international research and travel. Phi Beta Delta is interdisciplinary in nature and includes individuals from all content areas.
NSU’s Eta Mu chapter will host the May 2022 International Conference of Phi Beta Delta at Northwestern State. This conference was originally scheduled to take place this May, but due to COVID-19 protocols, the 2021 Phi Beta Conference will be online Monday-Tuesday, May 24-25, 2021. Several NSU faculty members are scheduled to present at the conference and have participated in conference preparation. NSU Chapter Coordinator and Music Education faculty Dr. Sharon Joy will be sworn in as the new international president of Phi Beta Delta. NSU faculty, staff and students who wish to attend the conference contact Chapter President Dr. Marcia Hardy at hardym@nsula.edu.
