The Texas A&M University-Kingsville chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society recognizing student achievement during the first year of college, initiated 35 students at their annual spring initiation, held May 6 on the A&M-Kingsville campus.

Founded in the spring of 1924 at the University of Illinois, Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence among first year students.

Today, the organization has over 250 chapters throughout the United States and more than 700,000 students have been initiated into membership since the first chapter was started.

Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta is open to full-time freshmen students who rank in the top 20 percent of their class at a four-year college or university.

This year’s new A&MKingsville members have an average grade point average of 3.61 and represent each of the university’s academic colleges.

Alpha Lambda Delta members have the opportunity to apply for over $150,000 in scholarships and fellowships awarded each year.

Alpha Lambda Delta emphasizes that educated persons have a responsibility to “have tolerance in your dealings with all persons, generosity in giving to those in need, and insight into the feelings of others,” noted Dr. Glenda Earwood, Alpha Lambda Delta executive director. Members are challenged to make contributions to society and to maintain high standards for the benefit of their communities.

According to Dr. Dann Brown, dean of University College, organizations such as Alpha Lambda Delta play a positive role on college campuses.

“Most celebrations of academic success in college are centered around ‘end of’ experiences, such as honor rolls at the end of semesters and commencement when students graduate. Taking time to welcome students into honor societies such as Alpha Lambda Delta gives us an opportunity to recognize students as they progress toward achieving their academic goals. Celebrating success in the classroom sends a strong message to all students that their hard work and effort is valued.”

This spring’s Alpha Lambda Delta initiates included the following A&M-Kingsville freshmen (Name, Hometown, Field of Study):

Teresa M. Adkins, Kingsville, English

Crystal L. Alonzo, Corpus Christi, Spanish

Samantha J. Alvarez, Victoria, pre-medical/ dental

Ana G. Cardona, Freeport, environmental engineering

Maria I. Castillo, Mexico, criminology

Christopher R. Chapman, Corpus Christi, civil engineering

Rosa A. Cordova, Brownsville, criminology

Merlin Daniel, El Paso, pre-pharmacy

Chelsea L. Dettlinger, Sandia, political science

James H. Dinn IV, Alice, pre-medical/dental

Briana N. Garcia, Benavides, kinesiology

Hillary M. Garcia, Agua Dulce, criminology

Christopher O. Garza, McAllen, kinesiology

John D. Garza Jr., Brownsville, music

Lauren M. Hernandez, Kingsville, communications

Procopio Herrera III, Laredo, biomedical sciences

Marissa N. Johansen, Boerne, mechanical engineering

Tuveesha S. Jones, Killeen, kinesiology

Maria G. Lopez, Falfurrias, kinesiology

Domingo D. Loria III, Corpus Christi, electrical engineering

Coree L. Lykins, Alice, family & consumer sciences

Christina M. Maldonado, Kingsville, accounting

Ricky Marshall II, Tyler, electrical engineering

Myranda L. Medina, Robstown, biomedical sciences

Erin N. Morales, Corpus Christi, pre-pharmacy

Roberto Obregon Jr., Kingsville, kinesiology

Maribel Ramirez, Comfort, human nutrition

Yvonne Saldivar, Raymondville, accounting

Nathan Sneed, San Antonio, accounting

Maribel Villarreal, San Diego, social work

Gregory A. Wallace, Riviera, general business

Eric Wineman, Lakehills, electrical engineering

Justin K. Yost, Corpus Christi, kinesiology

Blake L. Young, La Vernia, mechanical engineering

Michelle Zapata, Mexico, kinesiology.