Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter

1. Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter Spring 2012 Initiation

2. Greetings Candidates! • My name is Sarah Zipperer and I am the current president of the Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. • This virtual initiation is the product of collaboration among chapter officers from across the country.

3. Our virtual candidates include learners from a variety of locations around the state of Georgia and beyond. • We welcome you and hope that you find this presentation meaningful. Welcome to KDP!

4. ABK Chapter is 7.5 years old ABK Chapter was installed at Valdosta State University on March 9, 2004

5. ABK Chapter is Growing The chapter started with 38membersin Spring 2004 To date we have inducted over 500 members into the chapter!

6. ABK Chapter is a Leader Valdosta State University was the firstandonly university to which Kappa Delta Pi issued a chapter charter to a College of Arts and Sciences. We are still growing and establishing ourselves here on VSU’s campuses. This virtual initiation is an effort to serve those who attend virtual classes or who commute long distances.

7. ABK Chapter is Different With our hectic schedules, it is difficult for us to meet monthly as a group in a single physical location because we are spread around the state. We do hold two initiations during each year and plan to start holding at least one general meeting a year, most likely in the spring.

8. ABK Chapter is Involved Your officers meet online as needed to take care of the chapter’s business. Our greatest challenge is to find ways to serve our members better and to keep us all connected. Jocelyn Campbell & Kourtney White, ABK Membership Committee 2005 Project Teddy bear Katherine Backes (R), ABK Historian 2005 Hurricane Katrina Food Drive Melissa Rainey, ABK President 2005 Hurricane Katrina Food Drive

9. KDP is Progressive Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Societyin Education is vitally interested in promoting excellence in education throughout the career lifecycle of its members KDP is highly progressive and leads the community of honor societies by embracing virtual universities and recognizing their scholarly accomplishments

10. KDP is Forever Once you attain membership in KDP,you will be a member for life We hope you decide to remain an active member throughout your career If you lose contact after graduation, you may always reconnect as a member-at-large or by joining a professional chapter You may find KDP Headquartersonline at www.kdp.org

11. This Initiation is Different Typically, a KDP initiation is done in a formal setting with family and friends attending. Members and alumni of the chapter attend and the setting is solemn. Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA William S. (Steve) Taisler(ABK President 2006-07) (center)

12. This Initiation is The Same The ritual is a proud tradition repeated many times since 1927 Although the environment may be different, this version of the ritual remains consistent with those being experienced throughout KDP.

13. The Tradition is the Same Please treat this virtual initiation as a serious undertaking. This presentation attempts to provide as much of the solemnity and tradition as possible in a virtual environment. We have done our best to create the proper setting in our virtual environment.

14. As we begin… The original ritual of Kappa Delta Pi, written for the initiation of new members into the Society, was adopted by the Executive Council on March 3, 1927. The initiation ceremony ritual combined idealism, symbolism, and tradition. The ceremony was conducted in a “reverent and esthetic” manner, with symbols that suggested inspiration, introspection, and consciousness.

15. Welcome We, the officers and members of Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter, welcome you, our new prospective members, to our chapter. Emily Hunter, 1st ABK President 2004 We would like to recognize each of you by name and to tell of your scholarship, but because of the nature of this presentation, we will have to recognize you as a group for your outstanding scholastic accomplishments at VSU.

16. The Ceremony Members of the Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, we are now assembled to reaffirm faith in the Ideals of our Society and to initiate into membership candidates who seek the bond of our common purpose, Master Chief Steve Taisler, USAF, ABK President 2006 to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education.

17. Our History Kappa Delta Pi was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. The Society was incorporatedon June 8, 1911. Dr. Mary Ellen Dallman ABK Associate Counselor Associate Professor Dr. Marcella Kysilka Professor Emerita, University of Central Florida The Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter was installed by KDP former National KDP President, Dr. Marcella Kysilka on March 9th, 2004

18. What Does Membership Imply? Membership implies fostering the high ideals of the education profession by assuming trusteeship of a rich professional legacy. Michelle (Backes) Parkerson, 1st ABK Vice President 2004 ABK President 2005 It is our privilege and duty as educators to transmit this legacy. Candidates, you will be asked to accept the responsibility of transmitting this legacy at the end of the presentation.

19. What Does Membership Imply? Do you accept the responsibility of transmitting this legacy? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Kourtney White, ABK Membership Chair 2006 Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our responsibility in the transmission of this legacy.”

20. Principles of the Society Education is a vital societal force that encourages universal welfare and individual progress. Melissa Rainey ABK President 2005 & Dr. Moch Education is the cornerstone of democracy and the foundation for personal fulfillment. Honor societies conduct rituals and ceremonies to impress upon their members the ideals and duties to which they adhere.

21. Principles of the Society Members of Kappa Delta Pi have cherished the Society’s Ideals and accepted the concepts of duty established when the organization was founded. Jennifer Johnston, ABK Treasurer 2005, Convo Delegate 2005 It is desirable that new members of Kappa Delta Pi seek awareness of the duties which education imposes and of the Ideals of the Society accepts.

22. Ideals of the Society We present for your acceptance the Ideals which guide members of the Society. Korry Allen, ABK President 2008 In a formal ceremony where the members gather together at the same place,candles are lit representing each ideal. In our virtual ceremony, these candles are represented graphically for each of the ideals.

23. Fidelity to Humanity The first Ideal is that of Fidelity to Humanity. Dr. Denise T. Reid, ABK Associate Counselor Professor This Ideal implies faith in the potential of human beings and in the improvement of the human condition through education; compassion in the contacts one has, as an educator, with humanity;

24. Fidelity to Humanity and dedication to the concept that through continuous education based upon equal opportunity, persons of all ages, races, and creeds will find increased opportunity for experiencing more meaningful lives. Maranda Powell, ABK Alternate Convo Delegate 2005 All of this is implied in the Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity.

25. Fidelity to Humanity Do you accept this Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Mandy Moore, ABK Historian & Convo Delegate 2009 Current members may state “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity.”

26. Ideal of Science The second Ideal is that of Science. Wendy Lane, 1st ABK Historian ABK President 2004 This Ideal implies that, as an educator, one will be faithful to the cause of free inquiry and strive to eliminate prejudice and superstition by withholding judgment until accurate and adequate evidence is obtained.

27. Ideal of Science One will not distort evidence to support a favorite theory; not be blinded by the new or spectacular; nor condemn the old simply because it is old. Dr. Kysilka, former National President KDP, and Dr. Sheri Gravett, Associate Vice President Academic Affairs, ABK Member All of this is implied in the Ideal of Science.

28. Ideal of Science Do you accept this Ideal of Science? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Dr. Louis Levy, VSU Interim President, ABK Member Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Science.”

29. Ideal of Service The third Ideal is that of Service. This Ideal is the very essence of education which seeks advancement, not merely for self, but for society as well. Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Chief Planning Officer, ABK Member of the Society The incentive of the great educators of the world has been their desire to serve humanity.

30. Ideal of Service Service in education implies living so that others are strengthened and inspired, and striving for the achievement of justice, peace, and a better way of life for all. Dr. Sheri Gravett, Associate Vice President Academic Affairs, ABK Member of the Society All of this is implied in the Ideal of Service.

31. Ideal of Service Do you accept this Ideal of Service? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Dr. Sheri Gravett Associate Vice President Academic Affairs Member of the Society Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Service.”

32. Ideal of Toil The final Ideal is that of Toil. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor Toil - the will to do the task that must be done whether the task pleases one or not, and faith in the social necessity and intrinsic reward of the education profession.

33. Ideal of Toil It implies working with such faith and zeal that others are won to the cause of education. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor If one life has been given greater freedom and nobler vision, toil has not been in vain. All of this is implied in the Ideal of Toil.

34. Ideal of Toil Do you accept this Ideal of Toil? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Toil.”

35. Society Emblem Our Society’s emblem incorporates: the scroll, the stylus, the beehive, and the characters K (Kappa), Δ (Delta),Π (Pi).

36. Society Emblem Many of the treasures of antiquity, which form the foundation of modern education, rest upon scrolls of papyrus. The golden scroll, therefore, is the foundation of our emblem. The shaft running through the scroll is the stylus, the first instrument known to be used in making letters and figures.

37. Society Emblem The beehive symbolizes toil. The characters, K (Kappa), Δ (Delta), Π (Pi) represent our motto —Knowledge, Duty, Power — words expressing the entire meaning of our educational ideals.

38. Are you ready to proceed? The Purpose and Ideals of Kappa Delta Pi are now known to you. Are you ready to assume the obligation of membership in Kappa Delta Pi? Emily Hunter, 1st ABK President If so, you will answer, “I am” in the affirmation statement and continue to the conclusion of the initiation.

39. Obligation of the Society Please read aloud the Obligation of the Society: I promise to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of Kappa Delta Pi Emily Hunter, 1st ABK President and to cooperate to expand the influence of its purpose and Ideals. If you so promise, do so by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation.

40. You Are Now Members I now declare you members of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, Emily Hunter, 1st ABK President pledged to be faithful to its Ideals, and worthy to enter into the bonds of fellowship with its members.

41. So to Teach… -So to teach, that our words inspire a will to learn; Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor -So to serve, that each day may enhance the growth of exploring minds; -So to live, that we may guide young and old to know the truth and love the right. To the fulfillment of these objectives, we pledge our efforts and our faith.

42. Officers of ABK Chapter Dr. Peggy Moch – Counselor, National VP Dr. Denise Reid – Associate Counselor Dr. Julie Reffel – Associate Counselor. Sarah Zipperer – President Brittany Baldwin – Vice-President Chelsea Norton – Secretary Emily Wheeler - Treasurer Tasandra West – Historian Caitlin R. Bailey – Foundation Representative Denisha Dukes – Membership Chair

43. What Happens Next… You should receive your membership number from KDP Headquarters within two months. You should receive your KDP and chapter membership certificates, KDP pin, a copy of the KDP Creed, and the “Essential Guide for New members” from us within the month.

44. Conclusion This concludes the Spring 2012 ABK Chapter initiation. Please remember to complete your affirmation form. Without the affirmation, we cannot certify your initiation to KDP. Click on the link for affirmation provided on the online initiation main page.