PC to charter new honor society for first-generation students
Presbyterian College will charter a new national honor society for first-generation students this spring.
The chartering ceremony and the inaugural induction for new members of the new Eta Delta Chapter of Tri-Alpha will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26.
Dr. Joleesa Johnson, director of the Presby First+ program, hailed the new chapter as proof of PC's strong commitment to its first-generation students' academic success and achievement.
"Chartering the Eta Delta Chapter of Tri-Alpha further demonstrates PC's commitment to the well-being, academic excellence, and strengths of our first-generation students," Johnson said. "This will be a way to celebrate the academic and personal accomplishments of our first-generation students, and hopefully show them that they can achieve academically despite what research says about not being academically prepared. Tri-Alpha will for years to come serve as an acknowledgement of the successes of our first-generation students, as well as serve as a space to continue to cultivate academic excellence and service, and an environment where first-generation students can flourish and thrive."
Dr. Selena Blair, the Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, also praised PC for chartering the Eta Delta Chapter.
"Taking the necessary steps to establish the Eta Delta Chapter of Tri-Alpha on our campus solidifies PC's commitment to champion first-generation college student success,” Blair said. “Not only are we celebrating current academic achievements, but we are encouraging continued academic excellence through the promotion of scholarship and the inducting of faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members. Membership in Tri-Alpha is a lifetime distinction signifying superior academic ability and commitment to employers as well as graduate schools."
Tri-Alpha was founded in 2018 on the campus of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Penn. The national honor society promotes academic excellence and creates a supportive environment for students who are the first in their families to attend a higher education institution.
Membership is by invitation only. Each year, Tri-Alpha has the honor of inducting students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are first-generation students. PC is the fifth school in South Carolina and the fifth Presbyterian Church-affiliated college to charter a Tri-Alpha chapter.
Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:
Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (9 or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.
BULLSEYE! Presbyterian College targets student engagement through archery club
As Presbyterian College aims to become one of the country’s most engaging college campuses, it hopes a reinvigorated archery club hits the target.
Driven entirely by student interest, PC’s Archery Club joins a growing community of enthusiasts on college campuses throughout the country.
PC vice president for enrollment Woody O’Cain said the club demonstrates the college’s commitment to attracting students by offering them an even wider variety of extracurricular activities.
The club earned a grant from USA Archery submitted by archery faculty sponsor and professor of economics Dr. Jerry Slice.
Slice picked up a bow as an undergraduate at Clemson University nearly 50 years ago. He remains an avid archer and is certified by USA Archery as an instructor, trainer, and judge. He is also a member of the National Field Archery Association.
Uniting love for the sport and his students, Slice said he looks forward to working with archers of every skill level and background – from experienced participants to novices picking up a bow for the first time. Of the initial group of students in the club who have practiced, several are just learning.
“My first goal is always to teach them how to handle the equipment safely,” Slice said. “Then we work on the rules and etiquette and practicing on having really, really good form. From there, the students can grow. My role is to get them started and then to help them improve.”
Slice emphasized that PC’s archery club remains open to all students and welcomes participation from faculty and staff.
“It’s a great way to make friends and enjoy the camaraderie of the sport,” Slice said. “It’s competitive but, really, the only person you’re competing against is yourself. You can grow your skills and just enjoy getting out and having a good day at it. Archery takes practice and dedication but there are a lot of rewards in learning how to do it and progressing.”
Presbyterian College will welcome more than a hundred young archers to campus for the 2023 Scholastic 3D Archery Indoor State Championship Tournament this coming weekend, Feb. 10-11, in Springs Gymnasium.
PC vice president for enrollment Woody O’Cain said the tournament and the college’s archery club are great new avenues to attract new students to campus.
“The addition of archery will allow current and prospective Blue Hose to continue their passion for the sport while also adding yet another benefit to prospective students who are considering PC,” O’Cain said. ““We will also award each divisional winner in this weekend’s competition a $15,000 per year scholarship, $60,000 over four years, for those students who apply and are accepted to PC. Within the state of South Carolina alone, there are 232 schools across 31 different counties that have archery teams. I am excited to have another program to offer our students, both current and prospective.
“For those students who participate in archery at PC, this experience gives them yet another affinity group to belong to, while providing a venue for healthy competition with themselves and others. Research has also shown that students who are involved in this sport benefit in many other ways, including self-confidence, motivation, discipline, patience, focus, and improved teacher and student relationships. Students at PC are so talented and have a wide variety of interests, which supplements their experience in the classroom.”
