The installation ceremony at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith for a new chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, The Health Preprofessional Honor Society, included the induction of 22 students and four faculty members.
Biology professor Dr. Davis Pritchett of Greenwood, faculty adviser for AED, said UAFS had been working toward the establishment of a chapter over the course of the last year.
“We are the fourth chapter of AED on a university campus in Arkansas,” said Pritchett. “Our chapter, Arkansas Delta, joins the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Hendrix College as campuses with a chapter. Establishment of our chapter is an indication of the quality and maturity of our program and the quality of students that we are attracting to UAFS.”
Membership is open to all students pursuing a healthcare curriculum. Participation requires a 3.2 overall and science grade point average, with at least three semesters of preprofessional health work.
Pritchett said functions of the AED include encouraging and recognizing excellence among premedical students, offering opportunities for intellectual and professional development, providing a forum for students with common interests, providing a program of service to benefit the university community, and promoting communication between health professionals, premedical students and educators.
New members include:
Alma: Judah Christian Scott.
Austin, Texas: Amy Marie Belanger.
Charleston: Joyce Ab-Ye Lee.
Fort Smith: Andrew Marcus Curley, Heather Alyse Davis, Nawar Hudefi (secretary), Cassidy Lynne Jacobs, Rene’ I. Manjarrez, and Dr. Sandhya Namdeo Baviskar (assistant professor of biological science), and Dr. Arlin James Benjamin (assistant professor of psychology).
Greenwood: Annsley A’Dale Garner (president), Emily Nicole McCollom (vice president), and Dr. Davis W. Pritchett (professor of biological science and AED adviser).
Hot Springs: Marlee Logan Buchanan.
Lavaca: Nathan Fleer.
Muldrow, Okla.: Macey Christine Casher (historian).
Ozark, Mo.: Taylor Nicole Jordan.
Rock Island, Okla.: Kalyn Marie Hubbard.
Searcy: Breanna Nichole Harris.
Shawnee, Okla.: Tatum Brianne Colburn.
Van Buren: Stacey Lenore Cottrell, Sarah Sue Hubbard, Thanh Thien Tran, and Dr. Kristine Ann Garner (assistant professor of biological science).
Waldron: Justin Lee Helton (treasurer).
White Hall: Andrea Davon Edwards.
Dr. Phil Hartman, national secretary for AED, participated in the ceremony. The UAFS chapter brings the number of chapters in AED to 220. Chapters are established only at four-year degree-granting institutions.