University Park, Pa. -- The Penn State Eta Upsilon chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society has merged with Penn State’s World Campus Pi Delta Chi chapter. The newly expanded chapter will provide an on-campus association to recognize academically outstanding students in higher education.

According to Peter Rubba, director of Academic Affairs for Graduate Programs in Penn State’s World Campus and councilor for the Pi Delta Chi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, combining Eta Upsilon and Pi Delta Chi enhances the University’s ability to reach out to more adult learners at Penn State.

“I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices and choices that adult learners make in pursuit of their educational goals. It is rarely easy, but the rewards of achieving those goals and overcoming the challenges are immeasurable. Recognition of academic achievement through Alpha Sigma Lambda is one of those immeasurable rewards,” Rubba said.

Following the merger, the University Park chapter membership is now comprised of adult students studying via World Campus, University Park students and Continuing Education (CE) students at University Park (CE@UP), including those taking courses through Penn State’s Lewistown, Philipsburg and Williamsport CE centers.

To be eligible for membership in the Pi Delta Chi chapter:

• -- a student must have completed 24 credits in an undergraduate degree program from World Campus, CE@UP or through resident instruction at the University Park campus;
• -- at least 12 of the total credits should be earned in courses from the College of the Liberal Arts or deemed by the University as liberal arts courses via the transfer process;
• -- a student must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5;
• -- a student must be in the highest 20 percent of students who meet the above criteria.

The newly expanded chapter will hold its first induction ceremony the evening of May 14 in the lobby of the Outreach Building at University Park campus. The event, which will include speakers and guests, will formally honor the inductees.

Alpha Sigma Lambda is an honor society for undergraduate adult learners. It was founded in 1945 by Rollin Posey, dean of University College at Northwestern University, as a means of honoring academic achievement among adult learners. It is the largest, chapter-based honor society for full- and part-time adult students at 300 chapters nationwide.

Details about the University Park chapter can be found at http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/alpha-sigma-lambda.shtml online.