Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently celebrated the inaugural induction of 102 new members into the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) National Honor Society, recognizing the achievements of first-generation college students.

MCCC currently is the first and only community college in Pennsylvania to host a Tri-Alpha chapter, according to its website. Founded in 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa., the honor society recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni who are among the trailblazers in their families to pursue college degrees.

“As the first members of your families to forge these pathways, you and your dedicated efforts are being acknowledged through the induction into this prestigious honor society,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President, to the inductees and their families who gathered in the Health Sciences Center on MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus.

“Through our collective membership, the Montco Family will continue to grow stronger and provide a valuable network for first-generation students to become the next generation of leaders who will inspire, lead and transform lives, destinies and generations,” said Dr. Bastecki-Perez. “Congratulations to all the inductees as we celebrate this extraordinary milestone.”

To qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha, according to its website, a student must earn at least 30 credit/semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) towards an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree (including half-time) and the undergraduate student must achieve an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (for schools using a pass, high pass, etc. system, a “high pass” average is required). Neither of the student’s parents, nor stepparents nor legal guardians completed a bachelor’s degree, or, for community college students, the parents, et al., did not complete an associate’s degree. Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of a least one term of study (nine or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5. Part-time students in graduate programs are allowed to be admitted if they meet the requirements.

Faculty and staff also may be inducted into Tri-Alpha, if they meet the definition of first-generation students and are willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students. In addition, a small number of alumni and honorary inductees who meet the requirements of first-generation students and are connected to the institution may be initiated each year. According to the website, they must remain connected in some way to the institution which is inducting them — a member of the board or alumni association, the sibling of a current student, a volunteer, a donor, etc. They must have established themselves in their post-college lives in a manner that can be held up to first-generation students as something to aspire to, and must be willing to mentor first-generation students, if asked. Honorary members need not have been first-generation college students. Rather, honorary inductees may be first-generation students with some kind of connection to the institution or clearly be a first-generation student advocate, mentor, or supporter while maintaining a connection to the institution which is inducting them.

MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Gloria Oikelome shared words of congratulations and encouragement. During her remarks, she asked the inductees to think about who or what inspired them to pursue their degrees. For Dr. Oikelome, it was her mother who insisted that she and her six siblings were capable of doing anything, including earning their college degrees.

“The reason I ask you to think about who or what inspired you is because this is just the first step,” she said. “There are more things that you are going to want to achieve in your future, and it’s important to remember who that person was or what that reason was because there will always be those who will tell you  that you can’t. But, when the haters start speaking, you turn around, remember that inspiration and say, ‘yes, I can.’ Congratulations to all of you.”

During the ceremony, MCCC Trustee Dr. Theresa Reilly described the logo symbolism, which includes a star in the center of several circles, representing the communities of the College, county, region and world. The star represents the new inductees, lighting the way for others to pursue their degrees in higher education.

The inductees each received a  pin with the Tri-Alpha logo, certificate and special cord to wear during the upcoming commencement ceremonies to be held on May 19 at MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus where they will receive their diplomas.

The student inductees included Josephine Maria Aguilar, Hayet Amedah, Natyra Baker, Rebecca Bergey, Joseph Bianco, Dawn E. Boggi, Nichole Bradbury, Sherie Arnell Brisbone, Ayanna Brooks, Chelsea M. Burke, Abigayle Asher Burton, Eboni Renea Carter, Alice Chan, Natasha M. Christman, Nina Clark, Haile Ann Clayton, Kayle Cole, Beatrice Culbertson, Jacqueline Doris, Danielle Elizabeth Dorn, Crystal M. Dowd, Ashley Lauren Dubuc, Kathia Elhocine, Rachel Lynn Erb, Mary Fisher, Julie A. Groman, Steven Joseph Guido, Charlotte Haggerty, Andrea Haines, Marsel, Hoxha, Thao Kim Y Huynh, Aignei Jamison, Jessica Marles, Amy Johnston, Tae Kim, Truong Le, Mary Lopez, Selena Lopez, Madelynne Mabel Marsden, Grace McGinnis, Lindsey McGonigal, Kelly G. McPeak, Rachel L. Michalak, Fady Mikhaeil, Danielle Morelli, Leonard Nguyen, Sandra O’Brien, Courtney Oehlert, Bobbi Owens, Marissa Ann Parento, Matthew Pokorny, Sarah Pritchett, Zachary Raugh, Heather Reitnauer, Elizabeth Rivera, Tanima Rahman Riya, Julia T. Rodrigues, Emma Rose, Julie Sawyer, Jennifer Seifert, Emma Shainline, Brianna Skupski, Donyea Tate, Stephanie Trofa, Effie C. Walker, Jeffrey Theodore Wilson, Yuzhao Xie and Loretta Yuengling.

Faculty, staff and administrator inductees include Amy E. Auwaerter, Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, Kimberly A. Erdman, Jared P. Brown, Faith Marie Byrne, Dr. Catherine Ann Carsley, Stefanie Crouse, Dr. Lori J. Davidson, Cristina Raimundo DePaul, Marwa K. Dwidar, Katina S. Faulk, Angela Ferencin, Alecia D. Fields, Michael W. Fisher, Dr. Damon T. Gray, John J. Hasyn, Elizabeth Pittman Keene, Amanda M. Leftwich, Kelly Lynn Lyles, Jeslin Grace Mathew, Dr. Jenna M Meehan, Dr. Jill C. Meehan, Dr. Lynn Swartley O’Brien, Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Dr. Celeste Schwartz, Gay B. Seidman and Dr. Wendy Zoll Fillgrove.

Honorary inductees include Margot Clark, Frank X. Custer, Varsovia Fernandez, Dr. Raj Guttha, Santos Perez, Dr. Theresa Reilly and Lee Schwartz.