MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Nearly half of Penn State Greater Allegheny’s student body is composed of first-generation college students, each one forging a unique path in higher education. On Oct 29, the campus honored these pioneers with the inaugural induction ceremony of the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) honor society, a national organization recognizing the academic accomplishments of students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.
Tri-Alpha now stands as a new tradition at Greater Allegheny, celebrating the resilience, dedication, and academic success of first-generation students. Tri-Alpha membership is awarded to students actively pursuing a degree at Penn State, having completed at least three full-time terms, maintaining a GPA of 3.2 or higher, and coming from families where neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. Transfer students are required to complete at least one term at Penn State prior to induction.
"Being a first-generation college student is, to me, the responsibility of upholding the future of my family, without relying on the past experiences from them," said Nathan Beauchamp, one of the inaugural Tri-Alpha inductees. “The Tri-Alpha honor society was a great goalpost to achieve as a first-generation student. It motivated me as one of the destinations in my college journey.”
During the ceremony, the Tri-Alpha chapter advisers, who are also first-generation graduates, emphasized the role of community, mentorship, and perseverance in the college journey.
“Establishing the Tri-Alpha honor society at Penn State Greater Allegheny was inspired by a deep commitment to uplifting and empowering first-generation college students,” said Alandra Kahl, teaching professor of environmental engineering and one of the honor society's chapter advisers. “Tri-Alpha represents more than an academic honor; it’s a celebration of resilience and achievement, reinforcing that first-generation students belong and are capable of tremendous success.”
In addition to the formal induction, the inaugural Tri-Alpha class received pins and signed the Tri-Alpha registry as symbols of their achievements and pioneering roles within their families. Inductees also pledged to support and mentor future first-generation students, setting a foundation for Greater Allegheny’s continued commitment to student success.