Alpha Lambda Delta will celebrate its 100th anniversary May 31
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national honor society for first year students, inducted 129 new members April 14 in a program designed to celebrate academic achievement and leadership potential for first-year students. The purpose of Alpha Lambda Delta is to encourage superior academic attainment among students in their first year in institutions of higher education, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their unique roles in society.
In conjunction, induction ceremonies for Blue Key and Purple Jacket honor societies took place April 14 as the first events to commemorate Honors Week at NSU, a series of activities that promote engagement and pride for NSU students and the NSU community. Blue Key and Purple Jackets led Alpha Lambda Delta inductees in procession to symbolically bookend graduation ceremonies, when the honor societies lead the commencement procession.
Blue Key Honor Society recognizes students at institutions of higher education for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. Blue Key bases eligibility for membership on all-around leadership and integrity in student life, high scholastic achievement and service to others.
Purple Jackets, a women’s community service group and honor society, was the first honor society established at NSU. Applicants must be a junior or senior and have served as leaders in other campus organizations to be considered for membership. Purple Jackets are the official hostesses of NSU and members must demonstrate good scholarship, character, spirit of cooperation and. Unselfishness in serving NSU.
Alpha Lambda Delta will mark its centennial in May. The NSU chapter made a $500 donation to support the organization’s national scholarship program.
New members and their hometowns are as follows.
Abbeville – Caroline LeMaire
Alexandria – Aaniyah Hardwell, Malaiah Ledet, Devon Powell, Arminie Tanner
Arcadia – Lauryn Vernon
Atlanta – Cademon Larson
Barksdale AFB – Grace Kerney
Baton Rouge – Catherine Bigham, Mark Dugar
Benton – Niklaus Jordan, Emily McHugh, Lynsey Plunkett, Ella Robinson, Tyla Stewart
Bossier City – Melanie Aguilar Noyola, Sophia Livers, Madysen Morgan, Imani Moye
Broussard – Saige Trahan
Bunkie – Rushawna Morris
Cameron – Gabriella Marceaux
Carthage, Texas – Ace Hall
Charles Town, West Virginia – Zoe Suire
Church Point – Payton Cain, Jacia Charlot
Converse – Willa Gregston
Coushatta – Rozalyn Taylor
Dallas – Jorge Bravo Chaves
DeRidder – Jacob Mullican, Emma Williamson
Destrehan – Rebecca Scott
Dry Prong – Audrey Spears
Eunice – Kyra Davis
Ferriday – Madison White
Florien – Alexis Brooks
Glenmora – Katie Dupre
Gonzales – Owen Stutzman
Godley, Texas – Dylan Dunn-Peacock
Haughton – Chloe Dettrey, Elizabeth Hardy
Houma – Valerie Galliano
Jarreau – Emily LaGrone
Jennings – Margaret Martinez
Keithville – Kaci Green, Ashlynn McClain, Lauren Moushon
Kingwood, Texas – Jaime Perdue
Lafayette – Blake Fontenot, Alex Larent, Tao Ly, Caroline Nelson, Jailey Sylvester
Lake Charles – Kassie Piatt, Katherine Rion, Caroline Ritchie
LeCompte – Lanai Miller
Leesville – James Bradley Bell, Kaitlin Callier, Kylie Fleshman, Camryn Huff, Layla Mouton, Allyce Richards
Lena – Emily Waits
Logansport – Jasmine Odom
Mansfield – Shaniyah Blaze
Many – Geert Kor IV, Masen Starks, Olivia Williams
Mamou – Karmen Laurant
Mansfield – Valentina Puac
Mansura – Emma Miller
Maurice – Brooklyn Orr
Meraux – Abigail Coker
Monroe – Shemaiah Thornton
Natchitoches – Eli Dyjack, Joshua Nolley, Destiny Phillips, Timothy Pursell, Kylee Williams
New Iberia – Addison Camors, Brianna Le
New Llano – Alexis Blalock
New Orleans – Valerie Hallot
New Roads – Gracie Gunter
Oak Ridge – Lalaina Wood
Opelousas – Jasmine Barnaba, Abigayle Guillory, Tasia Hayes, Marissa Howard, Daijah Murphy
Pierre Part – Hayden Alberes
Pineville – Alyssa Austin, Jillian Gresham, Emily Hamilton, Ashlyn Saucier, Karly Stansell
Ponchatoula – Silas Falgout
Provencal – Jesse Foshee
Raceland – Jordan Barnes
Rayville – Nicole Miller
Ruston – Faith Miller
Schriever – Ellie Dufrene
Shreveport – Sharye Belcher, Anastasia Douglas, KaBreyha Harris, Julia Jenkins, Christian Meiki
Slidell – Khali Sylvester
Sondheimer – Cailen Wiltcher
Springfield – Kailee Tartamella
Stonewall – Eloise Boudreaux, Natalie Cobb, Kalea Harris, Brianna Jacobsen, Breanna Murphy, Elana Sepulvado, Braedon Theodos
Sulphur – Gracie Ancelet, Grace Culpepper
Thibodaux – Corinne Boudreaux,
Valrico, Florida – Emily Gundin
Ville Platte – Samuel Marcantel
Westwego – Asatiari Moore
Winnfield – Makenna Cates, Kiara Mchenry, Ella Price
Woodworth — Caroline Blanchard
Youngsville – Ella Dupuie
Dr. Christopher Lyles, director of NSU’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, provided the keynote address and was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta as an honorary member.
The chapter presented two NSU Alpha Lambda Delta First-Generation Dues Scholarships to Jasmine Barnaba of Opelousas and Jasia Charlot of Church Point.
Chapter Advisor Reatha Cox installed new officers. They are Abigail Coker of Meraux, president; Emily LaGrone of Jarreau, vice president; Ellie Hardy of Haughton, secretary; Tyler Melna of West Monroe, treasurer and junior advisor; Jasmine Barnaba of Opelousas, service and philanthropy chair; Olivia Williams of Many, faculty/staff liaison; Alexis Blalock of New Llano, scholarship chair, and Cailen Wiltcher of Sondheimer, historian. Junior advisors are Madison Cook of Vivian, Christopher Richard of Abbeville and Kacy Young of Shreveport.
NSU’s Army ROTC’s 74th Demon Battalion presented colors for the ceremony with Cadet Jacob Mullican, an ALD inductee, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia sang the National Anthem.
Northwestern State University’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter has consistently achieved recognition from the national organization.
Kacy Young of Shreveport was recognized as recipient of a Jo Anne J. Trow Scholarship, awarded by Alpha Lambda Delta. Selection is based on maintaining a 3.5 grade point average, academic records, participation in Alpha Lambda Delta activities, campus and community service activities and the applicant’s essay answers.
The chapter also received the Maintaining the Flame Award which highlights continued excellence in programming, internal communications, campus visibility and overall presentation of their application. NSU’s ALD chapter participates in Demon Days, Sophomore Breakfast Club, Get Loud at the Library, Be a Tourist in Your College Town, NSU Wellness Fest, Yappy Hour and other activities while supporting numerous service projects, such as Fridays at Watson Library, the NSU Food Pantry and Special Olympics.
Alpha Lambda Delta officers for the 2024-25 year are, from left, Calien Wiltcher, Jasmine Barnaba, Emily LaGrone, Abigail Coker, Elizabeth Hardy, Olivia Williams, Alexis Blalock and Tyler Melna.
