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Catawba College's Omicron Chapter of Alpha Chi, the national college honor society, held an initiation ceremony for candidates Friday, Sept. 15 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.

The organization's 2006-2007 president, senior Victoria Hamilton of Wake Forest, officiated, assisted by faculty sponsor Dr. Bethany S. Sinnott, a professor of English, and faculty advisors Dr. Cynthia Osterhus, assistant professor of teacher education, and Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery, assistant professor of sociology. Dr. Carla Eastis, assistant professor of sociology, delivered the homily for the ceremony, "Grades Don't Matter."

Candidates initiated into the organization include seniors Elisa Antonia Alfieri of Salisbury; Lauren Christine Connolly of Moon Township, Pa.; Lauren Elizabeth Flynn of Salisbury; Leigh Ann Marcischak of Houston, Pa.; Jennifer Lynn Pitel of Salisbury; and Kamille Marie Plocinik of Baltimore, Md. Juniors initiated include Melissa Ann Bartholomew of New Carlisle, Ind.; Katie Michelle Bender of Salisbury; Ashley Diane Boles of Fort Bragg; Cory Brandon Darnell of Rural Hall; Ryan Gregory Dayvault of Kannapolis; Blair Eileen Elder of Seaford, Va.; Leah Savanna Farris of Rockwell; Angela Fontaine Jacobs of Trotwood, Ohio; Meagan Alexandra Kittle of Winchester, Ontario; Michael Aaron Lasris of Seaford, Va.; Candace Leigh Neal of Waxhaw; Jessica Taige of Wauwatosa, Wis.; Aileen Chattin Thomson of Burlington, Vt.; and Lauren Jill Whiteley of Greensboro.

Catawba's Omicron Chapter of Alpha Chi was founded in May 1978 with the induction of 13 members. To date, 523 members have been inducted. Alpha Chi inducts no more than the top 10 percent of juniors and seniors from all academic fields. Founded in 1922, the society has active chapters at more than 300 colleges and universities in 45 states and Puerto Rico.