Education Honor Society Welcomes 39 New Initiates
Kappa Delta Pi at McKendree University
Lebanon, Ill. — The Chi Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in
Education initiated and pinned 39 new members on April 7 at the Hettenhausen Center
for the Arts.
The society inducts only those who have exhibited the ideals of scholarship, integrity
of service, and commitment to excellence in teaching and allied professions. Founded
in 1911 at the University of Illinois, Kappa Delta Pi is the largest honor society
in education, representing 572 chapters and more than 45,000 active members.
“By accepting membership into KDP, we are able to recognize undergraduate and graduate
candidates for scholarly achievements and dedication to the education profession,”
noted Dr. Timothy Richards, associate professor of education and chapter counselor.
The local chapter was established in 1997 and includes university President James
Dennis and Men’s Basketball Coach Harry Statham as charter members.
The Chi Mu chapter officers are Jennifer Stroot of O’Fallon, president; Kirsten Ratermann
of Breese, vice-president; Catherine Ponce of Edwardsville, secretary; Ciara Laubscher
of Brighton, treasurer; Abigail Baker of Lebanon, membership chair; Michelle Hensley
of Hazelwood, Mo., historian; and Autumn Twardowski of Herod, communications chair.
Education professors who participated in the ceremony were: School of Education Chair
Dr. Janet Wicker and Drs. Darryn Diuguid, Brenda Doll, George Fero, Bethany Hill-Anderson,
Jennifer Hope, Karee Orellana and Julie Tonsing-Meyer. Dr. Christine Bahr, provost
and dean, congratulated the new initiates with Drs. Doll and Wicker.
McKendree University’s Chi Mu Chapter, Kappa Delta Pi new inductees, listed by their
hometown, are: Jamie Steward, Alhambra, Ill.; Jacqueline Goebel and Michelle Haake,
Aviston, Ill.; Lindsay Winkeler, Bartelso, Ill.; Ashley Lehr, Taylor Maus, Christina
Roedl, Laura Shevlin, Gail Slane, Jennifer Warren and Janelle Wright, Belleville,
Ill.; John Pulliam, Benton, Ill.; Lasha Baker, Bethalto, Ill.; Trina Hermsmeyer and
Nicholas Rahar, Breese, Ill.; Megan Crowell and Martha Ikner, Carbondale, Ill.; Mary
Norton, Champaign, Ill.; Kristina Paisley, Columbia, Ill.; Anthony Funderburg, Freeburg,
Ill.; Keri Ousley, Granite City, Ill.; Molly Hayes, Highland, Ill.; Jessica Ford,
Sarah Garcia and Zachary Weber, Lebanon, Ill.; Diane Chalberg, Samantha Fussell, Ronald
Helf, Deborah Houston, Byron Keller, Krenda Lowry, Nicholas Ricucci, Anna Rogers and
Andrea Saenz, O’Fallon, Ill.; Timothy Klein, Staunton, Ill.; Alan Boerngen, Trenton,
Ill.; Deborah Metzger, Waterloo, Ill.; Desiree Gillis, Wilmore, Ky.; and Alexander
Rheinbolt, Fitchburg, Mass.
