Because the ceremony was virtual, a number of induction traditions had to change. For example, this year鈥檚 induction combined two ALD chapters. Typically, only the 黑料网 chapter would hold its induction ceremony on the Kent campus, but because of the virtual platform, the ceremony combined the 黑料网 induction and the University of Massachusetts Amherst induction into one event. Each chapter鈥檚 advisor had time to welcome their campus鈥檚 inductees, noting important dates and meetings for their respective chapters. Lauren Huffman, staff advisor for 黑料网鈥檚 ALD chapter, presented a welcome video of the 黑料网 ALD officers, including Moira Armstrong, the president of the Kent鈥檚 ALD chapter. Armstrong noted, 鈥淲e鈥檝e had an amazing range of virtual opportunities,鈥 and they encouraged new members to get involved with ALD events. Huffman adds, 鈥淭he ALD officers have been doing an amazing job adapting our activities to a remote format.鈥 For example, the Kent chapter hosted virtual fundraisers for Kent Social Services and Akron Children鈥檚 Hospital, as well as virtual workshops on topics such as resumes, mental health, and graduate school.
Another change was the method of induction. Typically, the inductees would recite the ALD pledge together, then accept their nominations individually by walking across the stage and receiving an ALD certificate and insignia pin. This year, only host Eileen Merberg, the Executive Director of the national Alpha Lambda Delta organization, read the induction pledge aloud, then students typed 鈥淚 accept鈥 into the chat bar to officially complete their induction. All 黑料网 students who accepted their nomination will receive their ALD pin, certificate, and T-shirt through the mail.
Though the induction ceremony was in a different format this year, the atmosphere was still one of excitement and pride. Students鈥 families and friends were able to join the Zoom meeting, and throughout the event, guests congratulated their students on their academic success in the chat bar. Indeed, given the pandemic and all the challenges it has presented over the past year, it is outstanding that so many 黑料网 students achieved high academic standing in their first year. Congratulations to all of the new Alpha Lambda Delta members at 黑料网.
For more information about Alpha Lambda Delta, please visit the . For more information about the 黑料网 ALD chapter, please contact Kent鈥檚 Alpha Lambda Delta staff advisor, Lauren Huffman.
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PHOTO CAPTION 1: 黑料网's Alpha Lambda Delta officers at the 2019-20 national ALD conference in Niagra Falls.
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Kent's ALD officers visiting Niagra Falls during the national 2019-20 ALD conference.
PHOTO CAPTION 3: Screenshot of the ALD induction ceremony, showing the certificate and insignia pin that will be mailed to inductees.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312