The Alpha Psi Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society hosts an initiation ceremony recognizing students with disabilities who excel academically.

DAPi honors

Delta Alpha Pi initiation honors students with disabilities who excel academically

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9:08 a.m., March 7, 2016--The Alpha Psi Chapter of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society at the University of Delaware recently hosted its third initiation ceremony, during which 13 new members were welcomed into the society. 

This is the largest class the society has initiated since its establishment at UD in 2009. The society also saw the installation of three new executive board members. 

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The ceremony was a celebration of diversity on the University’s campus and embodied the vision and purpose of Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society: to change the perception of students with disabilities by recognizing them for their academic accomplishments.

Delta Alpha Pi, nicknamed DAPi by members, is housed under the Office of Disability Support Services on campus. 

DAPi is an international honor society that recognizes students with disabilities who excel academically. 

Members of DAPi are a diverse group of individuals with various interests and talents. All members of DAPi must be registered with the Office of Disability Support Services. Undergraduate students with a 3.1 grade point average (GPA) and at least 24 credit hours and graduate students with a 3.3 GPA and at least 18 credit hours are eligible for membership.

The initiation ceremony, which occurred on Saturday, Feb. 27, was led by chapter adviser Barbara Lewis-Kuszyk. 

Several guest speakers encouraged members of the honor society, both new and old, to continue their pursuit of academic success and to strive for advocacy and education not only on campus, but also in their surrounding community. 

Carol Henderson, UD vice provost for diversity, was one of these speakers. She described the ceremony as “a path forward for the University of Delaware” and believes that the members of DAPi are all “ambassadors for inclusive excellence.”

Becoming a member of Delta Alpha Pi provides opportunities for students to strive for academic excellence and to embrace diversity. Current DAPi member Linda Ellis encouraged the initiates to persevere despite any difficulties and to “reach out” and “carry on.” Current president Samantha Myslinski and president-elect Jackeline Saez-Rosario agreed with Ellis’ sentiments. 

As Myslinski said, “Being open and honest about your disability is really hard, but it is a conversation our society needs to have, and DAPi starts that conversation.” 

Saez-Rosario also said that she has appreciated the chance to become an advocate and that she is enjoying the opportunity to “be a person successful students with disabilities can trust.”

Franklin Newton, acting vice president and chief of staff, also spoke at the ceremony about opportunities to embrace diversity and advocacy. He told the newest members, “Your positions as leaders within [DAPi] give you the responsibility of being the people to whom others look for guidance, for strength, and for mentorship.” 

He challenged the students to consider “now what?” by inspiring the initiates to think about future directions for the organization.

Saez-Rosario already has ideas about where she would like to see the organization go in the coming year. She and the other members are planning philanthropy efforts, celebrations of disability awareness and community service events for this coming year. 

Another exciting announcement for the upcoming year that Anne Jannarone, director of the Office of Disability Support Services, made at the ceremony was that of the upcoming scholarship in memory of former DAPi member Kevin Miner, who passed away last year. This scholarship will be awarded to a student with a disability on campus in order to help them further their education.

To learn more about Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society or the Office of Disability Support Services, call 302-831-4643.

Photos by Duane Perry

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