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On April 16, East Stroudsburg University’s department of political science and economics held the joint induction ceremony for the Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) and the Alpha Xi Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Honor Society of Economics). At the ceremony, Elliott Faulkner, an ESU alumnus, delivered the keynote speech. Faulkner currently serves as the associate center director, Texas Service Center, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In his speech, he explained the meaning of public service to his professional life and encouraged students to explore job opportunities in the federal government. He provided specific tips for successful job searches in the federal system.

The ceremony recognized the academic achievements of the most outstanding students studying political science and economics. The membership criteria for the Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha for undergraduate students is completion of a minimum of twelve credits in political science, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and a major GPA of 3.5 or better. Graduate students enrolled in degree programs of political science must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or better. The membership criteria for the Alpha Xi Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon for undergraduate students is completion of a minimum of twelve credits in economics, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, and a major GPA of 3.0 or better.

A total of 13 new members were inducted for the Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha. Dustin R. Allocca, a junior majoring in political science from Easton, Pa.; Lauryn R. Antoine, a junior majoring in political science from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Hannah M. Bennink, a senior majoring in political science from Auburn, N.Y.; Ellijah M. Brown, a senior majoring in political science and computer security from Bushkill, Pa.; Christine E. Craig, a graduate student studying political science from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Melvin J. Mastishin, a senior majoring in political science and environmental studies from Ashland, Pa.; Ryan P. McAbee, a senior majoring in political science from Portland, Pa.; Kimberly E. Panico, a junior majoring in political science from Tobyhanna, Pa.; Brenda Romanow, a senior majoring in political science from East Stroudsburg, Pa.; Mariah L. Ramos, a graduate student studying management and leadership from Bushkill, Pa.; Abigail T. Soto, a senior majoring in political science and history from Mount Pocono, Pa.; Cassidy M. Steglio a junior majoring in political science from Wilkes Barre, Pa.; and Caitlyn R. Stout a junior majoring in political science from Milford, Pa.

There were 8 new members inducted to the Alpha Xi Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon. Lynn DePhillipo, a senior majoring in mathematics from Easton, Pa.; Kaitlyn M. Hafer, a junior majoring in accounting from Boyertown, Pa.; Chanasorn Iemsakul, a junior majoring in economics from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Deanna K. Jenkins, a senior majoring in business management from Easton, Pa.; Melissa N. Kelly, a senior majoring in economics from Macungie, Pa.; Andre E. Silva, a junior majoring in business management from Monroe Township, N.J.; Layne E. Taylor, a senior majoring in political science from Coatesville, Pa.; and Christine L. Wolosz, a senior majoring in business management from East Stroudsburg, Pa.

In addition to induction into the honor societies, the department also recognized scholarship recipients. Caitlyn Stout was awarded the Dr. Anthony Gaglione Endowed Scholarship; Tyler C. Coutts a sophomore majoring in political science from Tobyhanna, Pa., was awarded the Joseph J. McGee Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Mariah L. Ramos received the Political Science/Public Administration Graduate Annual Scholarship; Michal Weiss, a junior majoring in business from management Prague, Czech Republic and Minh Hanh Ngyuen, a senior majoring in biochemistry and chemical biotechnology, from Tannersville, Pa., were awarded the Anna Quainoo International Student Annual Scholarship; Chanasorn Iemasakul, a junior majoring in economics from Stroudsburg, Pa., was awarded the Constantinos Christofides Economics Annual Scholarship; Tarren L. Ellis, a junior majoring in business management and economics from Easton, Pa., received the Kenneth & Charlotte Starner Endowed Scholarship; and Austin Grimm Ellis, a junior majoring in business management and economics from Dillsburg, Pa., received the Roger DeLarco ’80 Economic Endowed Scholarship.

For more information about Iota Chi Chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha contact Ko Mishima, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and economics at 570-422-3248 or email kmishima@esu.edu. For more information about Alpha Xi Chapter of the Omicron Delta Epsilon contact Todd Behr, associate professor of political science and economics at 570-422-3831 or email tbehr@esu.edu.