Alpha Chi, a university-wide honor society, recently held its annual induction ceremony with a new faculty adviser in place.

Casie Parish-Fisher, a faculty instructor for the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, took the position as adviser for Alpha Chi this semester following David Horton. Horton, a professor for the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, is retiring from the university.

“[I want] to make it a more active organization … to take advantage of scholarship opportunities that are offered through Alpha Chi that we previously have not been taking advantage off,” said Parish-Fisher.

Parish-Fisher has high hopes to get the society more involved, specifically in community service. She hopes the society will attend some university sponsored service events and wishes to do more community service events outside of St. Edward’s University as well.

Alpha Chi admits juniors and seniors from all academic disciplines. Admission is based upon academic standing in the top ten percent of these two grades. The society is invitation only, according to the CollegiateLink website.

Students receive a certificate and a pin upon being inducted, as well as graduation robes. Once a student is in the society, they become a lifetime member, Parish-Fisher said.

The amount of students currently in the society is unknown Parish-Fisher said.

Students are usually inducted once a year around October and November.

“You have to have registered and gone on and accepted your invitation by the end of November or that’s it,”  Parish-Fisher said.

Students have to qualify every year. If a student is invited junior year and falls out of the top 10 percent in his or her senior year, that student does not get re-invited, Parish-Fisher said.

This year’s Alpha Chi ceremony took place on Jan. 28 in the Maloney Room.

Keeley Shrode, a senior English literature major, was inducted into the society for the first time. Her current grade point average is a 3.97.

“I think it’s cool that St. Edward’s has this opportunity,” said Shrode.

Shrode also cited how excited her parents were about her accomplishment. She hopes to attend Alpha Chi’s National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. this year. The three-day convention will be held April 4–6, according to Alpha Chi’s web site.

Eric Boshart, a junior economics major, was also inducted. His current GPA is a 3.75.

Boshart hopes to maintain his GPA so he will be invited back into the society next year. Boshart plans to participate in the community service aspect and possibly go to the convention.

“It’s nice to get recognized for your hard work,” said Boshart.