5:14 p.m., Sept. 24, 2007--For the first time in its 10-year history, the UD chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) has been awarded the society's top honor. Over the summer at the national NSCS convention in Philadelphia, the UD chapter received gold-star status, which chapter president, Katie Bennett, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, explained is the “highest status possible.”

“There are four statuses that can be achieved as an NSCS chapter: chapter in good standing, bronze, silver and gold stars,” Bennett said. “Gold-star status is the highest and most difficult to achieve, requiring that we as an organization complete a multitude of things.”

Requirements include taking a campus leader to lunch once a semester, holding a minimum of three meetings per semester, hosting a certain number of events and participating in NSCS's planning for college success program, which Bennett said is, “unique to the national organization.”

Bennett said that the chapter's main fundraiser helped outfit 24 rooms in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia with new computers. In addition to helping out the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, they have organized events around a cystic fibrosis fundraiser, in which they are trying to raise $10,000. The UD chapter of NSCS also makes trips to A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children and Emmaus House, and in November, Bennett explained that they will “be sponsoring an event with Tom DeLuca, an amazing hypnotist.”

The UD chapter of NSCS was founded 10 years ago and is one of the oldest chapters in the nation. Their adviser for the past five years has been Scott Wycoff, an instructor in the business administration department.

Wycoff said that the best part of being involved with NSCS is working with “the intelligent and motivated students in the organization,” and he noted that NSCS membership is “open to freshmen and sophomores with GPAs of 3.4 or higher” and “leadership positions are open through the senior year.”

For more information about NSCS, visit [www.nscs.org].

Article by Adam Thomas