SUNY New Paltz EOP recognizes student achievement at Chi Alpha Epsilon Induction Ceremony

NEW PALTZ – The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at the State University of New York at New Paltz inducted 44 students into the Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) Honor Society at a special ceremony held on April 27 at the college. To be eligible for induction into XAE, a student must be part of EOP and achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or greater for two consecutive semesters of full-time course work. (See attached inductee list.)

Keynote speaker Rendesia Scott ’96, the college’s director of advising for the School of Business and former EOP advisor, addressed the new inductees, congratulating them and saying “and they said you couldn’t do it.” Scott is a charter member of XAE and was instrumental in establishing the chapter at New Paltz.

Two EOP graduating seniors, who earned the highest cumulative grade point average, were given two special awards – the Percy Sutton and Arthur Eve Awards. These awards were established in honor of the two prominent “founding fathers” of the opportunity program in New York State.

Marissa Ward ’12 (Women’s Studies and Journalism) received the Percy Sutton Award for having the highest grade point average of 3.85. Caitlyn D’Apice ’12 (Childhood Education 1-6) received the Arthur Eve Award for earning the second highest grade point average of 3.82.

In addition to the new inductees, 24 additional students were recognized for upgrades to their grade point averages. They received the following pins for these honors: ruby (3.5-3.74), emerald (3.75-3.99), and diamond (4.0) (See attached student list).

Since its founding in 1967, EOP has provided academic and financial support to New York State residents with a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and who do not meet general admission criteria, but have the academic potential to earn a college degree. The program, offered at both two- and four-year colleges, serves students from a variety of circumstances that may present barriers to academic success. Many EOP students are also first generation college students. All campuses that participate in EOP offer financial aid for room, board, books and expenses, as well as academic support and counseling.

XAE is a national honor society for opportunity program students, with over 125 chapters in the U.S. The Beta Omicron Chapter at SUNY New was chartered on May 9, 2003, with a record-breaking induction of 72 members. This was the largest chartering induction within XAE’s history. The chapter also bears the distinction of having one of the largest undergraduate memberships in the country.