Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society Welcomes 32 Members March 29

Topeka, Kan. - The Washburn University Center for Student Success & Retention will induct 32 students into Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, a national honor society that recognizes first-generation academic success. New members will be sworn in and receive a pin and certificate at the spring induction ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, on the Washburn University campus.

To qualify for Alpha Alpha Alpha, first-generation students must be currently enrolled, have completed at least 30 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. Additionally, neither parent, stepparent nor legal guardian has earned a bachelor's degree.

Students inducted include:
Avery Anguiano, senior
Gloria Ball, senior
Starla Bennett, senior
Theresa Bertels, senior
Khalani Britt, junior
Tricia Brown, sophomore
Kendall Brungardt, junior
Liana Byham, senior
Martha Chona Bernal, senior
Donnie Curls, sophomore
Robert Darling, senior
Yazmin De Leon-Diaz, senior
Heather Dyer, senior
Malakai Fischer, senior
Emme Fuchs, senior
Elisha Haverkamp, junior
Via Heitzman, senior
Abigail Palmer, sophomore
Allyson Peterson, senior
Tanihya Porter, junior
Crystal Proctor, junior
Alexis Robinson, junior
Kira Roth, junior
Sae Seino, senior
Chelsea Smith, junior
Alli Stegall, senior
LeighLee Stevens, sophomore
Jade Thomas, junior
Marc Toomey, post-baccalaureate
Michelle Underwood, junior
Kylie VanWinkle, junior
Braxton Weide, senior

"Celebrating the success of all Washburn students is important. We are pleased to see some of our highest-achieving first-generation students join a widely respected national honor society, which shows their hard work is paying off," said Dr. Jennifer Wiard, associate dean for student success & retention, Washburn University.

Washburn chartered its Chi chapter among the society's first 25 chapters and became the first institution in Kansas to do so. Founded in 2018, Alpha Alpha Alpha partners with colleges and universities to celebrate the scholarship and leadership of first-generation students and encourages academic excellence among those pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees at accredited institutions.

Washburn University created the Center for Student Success & Retention in July 2011 to support students as they transition into and through their first year. Its programs help improve student success well beyond the first year.

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Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 8,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn's programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn's six primary academic units - College of Arts & Sciences, School of Applied Studies, Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, Harmony J. Hines School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).

All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech's campus on Topeka's west side or in the East Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.

For further information, contact:
Lacey Kinder
Content Specialist
Telephone: (785) 670-2154
Cell: (785) 845-1909
Email: [email protected]