Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently celebrated the induction of 70 new members into the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) National Honor Society. Tri-Alpha recognizes the achievements of first-generation college students.

MCCC is the first and only community college in Pennsylvania to host a Tri-Alpha chapter, according to its website. Founded in 2018 at Moravian University (formerly Moravian College) in Bethlehem, Pa., the Honor Society recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni who are among the first in their families to attain college degrees.

To start the ceremony, Dr. Stephanie Allen, MCCC Director of Equity, Diversity & Belonging, welcomed the inductees, family members and guests. She introduced the student speaker, Dani Arcos Narvaez, the president of the Student Government Association.

A psychology major, Dani recently was named an All-PA Academic scholar, receiving statewide recognition for academic achievements and campus and community involvement. She plans to attend Bucknell University this summer through the Bucknell University Community College Scholars Program.

In her speech, Dani spoke about overcoming challenges to accomplish goals.

“Success, as you know, doesn’t come without its share of failures, but I’ve learned that ‘freedom to fail is freedom to succeed,’” she said. “I am confident you also learned this lesson, as your dedication and determination to overcome obstacles have earned you a place among the best and the brightest.”

Following her opening remarks, Dani introduced MCCC’s president, Dr. Vicki Bastecki-Perez, who also is a first-generation college graduate.

“As a first-generation graduate myself, I know firsthand the transformative power education has had on my life, in my career and throughout my leadership roles. Now, every day, I have the privilege of seeing education transform lives on our campuses as students pursue their aspirations – it is genuinely moving and motivating,” Dr. Bastecki-Perez said. “As you venture forth, know that you are not alone but are now part of the Tri-Alpha community bound together by a shared pursuit of knowledge. May your light continue to shine brightly, illuminating the path for others to follow, and may your journey be filled with opportunities and possibilities for you to explore.”

Following her remarks, President Bastecki-Perez introduced Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Southeastern Pennsylvania at Highmark Blue Shield. A dedicated community servant and well-respected leader, Lawrence started his education at MCCC, building his academic foundation to attain his political science degree from Temple University. When he was a student at MCCC, he had his first experience running for office as the vice president and then president of the Student Government Association.

Lawrence spoke about the influence MCCC had on his education and career.

“You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘It’s not how you start, but how you finish,’ and it means we can overcome obstacles and setbacks and obtain our goals. And, we’ve heard the term ‘perseverance’ a few times tonight, and I know you all know what perseverance is,” he said. “But I think it is important to remember how we start so we can see how far we’ve come. For me, a lot started right here at Montgomery County Community College, and frankly, I didn’t realize it until many years later.”

Following the address, Lara McQue, MCCC Program Coordinator for Equity, Diversity and Belonging, shared the history and principles of Tri-Alpha and read the induction pledge. Each inductee walked across the stage, where President Bastecki-Perez congratulated them before they received their pins and certificates.

To qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha, according to its website, a student must earn at least 30 credits toward an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree and achieve an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2. Neither of the student’s parents, stepparents nor legal guardians may have completed a bachelor’s degree, or for students at a community college, the parents did not complete an associate’s degree.

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.

Student inductees included Christopher Bahm, Andew Bailon, Bria Nicole Bradley, Gabriel Carranza-Zarate, Arili Castillo-Zarate, Cassandra J. Chain, Salma Baker Chowdhury, Amanda Christy, Stephanie Clarke, Robert Colgan III, Jaime Lee Cunningham, Desiree DeSanto, Bethany Donovan, Dayaa Dopwell, Summer Elsayed, Kye C. Endy, Ashley Gerhart, Sarah Gibson, Joseph Gomez, Noha Hafez, China Harp, Kayla Hertzler, Jennifer Natalie Hopwood, Veronika Jones, Lawrencia Laryea, Joshua Link, Marylu Lopez Silverio, Lauren Machinia, Lizbeth Monroy-Maldonado, Tina Mill, Joe Morita, Rashida Nia-Dell Mosley, Nermin Moustafa, Ricki Noto, Gabriela Ochoa-Ceja, Allison Ormston, Casey Lynn Parke, Cristy Peltzer, Uriel Perez, Zoey M. Pethel, My Ngoc Tra Pham, Brooke Piccarreta, Kayla Polen, Michele Rauen, Skylar Reyes Dixon, Katherine Rosales, Alana Rosas, Lori Rotzell McGrorty, Bernard Schaffer, Terry Schantz, Alyssa Schlichter, Tanetta Stanfield, Brittany Althea Strassel, Brianna Tamay, Qiang Wang, Jenny Whisler, Dana M. Williams, Carl Williams, Shelly Williams Bell and Heather A. Young.

The Honorary inductees include Linda La Vay, MCCC Foundation Board member; Philip Needles, Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience; Diane O’Connor, Vice President of Administrative Services; and Matthew Riddick, Vice Chair, Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Faculty and staff inductees included Howard Charles, Technology Support Specialist; Christal L. Chatman, Director of Financial Aid; Katina Faulk, Administrative Director for Academic Initiatives; Qadim Ghani, Vice President of Finance; and Chae Sweet, Ed.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.