The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at SUNY New Paltz hosted its 15th annual Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on May 5, welcoming a new class of students into one of the largest XAE campus memberships in the country.
The event brought together faculty, family and friends celebrated 44 EOP students who earned XAE membership by maintaining a grade-point average of 3.0 or above. An additional 42 standing XAE members were upgraded to Ruby (3.5), Emerald (3.75) or Diamond (4.0) status for raising their grade average up even higher.
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Keynote speaker and honorary inductee Paul Broadie II, president of Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, Conn., and a former EOP Advisor and Assistant Dean of Admissions at New Paltz, gave an impassioned speech that spoke to the sense of community that surrounds EOP and its students long after they graduate.
“You are peer mentors; E-Board members; community volunteers; RAs; Chancellor’s Award recipients; and the list goes on,” Broadie said. “EOP cultivates leaders, and each of you has stepped up as a leader. Embrace that status. Use your academic talent to spark intellectual debate, challenge common thought and bring forth new ideas. As leaders, you are poised to change the world.”
The focus at the XAE induction ceremony was on the students, but they in turn gave plenty of love to the EOP allies and staff members who have supported them during their time at New Paltz. EOP Advisors Christine Featherston and Jessica Purcell joined Broadie as honorary XAE inductees at this year’s event.
“As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child,’ and today we’re really in the center of the village,” said EOP Director Antonio Bonilla. “We want to express our appreciation for the time put forth by all the faculty members, professional staff and peer leaders, who help motivate and inspire our students to be successful. Your collaborative efforts are key to our students’ high performance.”
2017 Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) Beta Omicron Chapter Inductees:
Afi Akakpo; Franchesca Arecy; Paul Brown; Khadijah Byrd;
Katerine Castro; Jordan Cross; Sheryl Cruz; Kevin Denizard;
Maria Depena; Johanna Ferrer; Shayne Garnes; Brianna Hernandez;
Clarissa Hernandez; Michelle Javier; Pedro Jimenez; Eileen Jumelles;
Amanda Kavanagh; Samantha Lee; Kathy Lopez Romero; Miguel Lopez;
Alaina Maggio; Gianni Marcel; Eleana Martinez; Kevyn Martinez;
Shanice Mateo; Jeremy Nuñez; Josue Perez; Arielle Ponder;
Daniel Ramirez; Yomayra Ramirez; Perla Reyes; Jessica Rivera;
Menorka Rodriguez; Tasani Rose; Maythe Salgado; Angeli Sanchez;
Maria Santana; Irina Santos; Ndella Seque; Brieanna Simms;
Aissatou Tall; Destiny Torres; Edna Velasquez; Nadia Marie Wagnac
2017 Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE) Beta Omicron Chapter Upgrade Achievers:
Diamond (4.00 GPA):
Gina Rondon
Emerald (3.75 – 3.99 GPA):
Layla Abdullah; Alexandra Boria Abreu; Melissa Camacho-Molano;
Geliza Castro; Yorhely Garabito; Mishelle Gonzalez Perez;
Hydia Hunter; Adiaratou Kaba; Hui Li; Estefany Lopez; Jeremy Luna;
Emily Mateo; Erica McNaughton; Avisha Mohabir; Nadiatou Ouedraogo;
Andrea Peña Anthony Rivera; Cesar Rodriguez; Kimberly Roman;
Daniela Rua; Analis Salcedo Perez; Nima Sherpa
Ruby (3.5 – 3.74 GPA):
Lissy Alvarez; Melyssa Arguello; Fousseni Baba; Aumma Begum;
Ramon Capellan; Jabari Dash; Emily De Jesus; Alexandria Griffiths;
Nana Gyawu; Julissa Hernandez; Scarlet Lantigua; Kaitlin Lopez;
Terance Morgan; Jessica Murphy; Pamela Reyes; Kaina Rivera;
Claiane Rojas; Luisana Roman; Leidy Suero
About Chi Alpha Epsilon
XAE was formed in 1989 as a national honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students admitted to colleges and universities through opportunity programs. The society has grown to include more than 125 chapters in the years since.
New Paltz chartered the Beta Omicron Chapter of the XAE and inducted its first 72 members in 2003. It bears the distinction of having inducted the largest number of students for a chartering induction.
More information about Chi Alpha Epsilon and the Educational Opportunity Program at SUNY New Paltz is available online.
