Lamda Pi Eta focuses on achievement, community service, networking

The department of communication at Appalachian State University will induct the inaugural Omega Theta chapter members of Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor Society Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Linville Falls Room of Plemmons Student Union.

Fifty-three undergraduate communication students from Appalachian will join current Lambda Pi Eta members from more than 400 campuses in North America.

Lambda Pi Eta has already been established at several North Carolina universities, such as North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University and Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Spurlock

Faculty adviser Cindy M. Spurlock, assistant communication professor, explained the importance of honor societies like Lambda Pi Eta.

“The honor society is something I’m very passionate about because it gives students the opportunity to network together and recognize their academic achievements,” Spurlock said.

Lambda Pi Eta is fostered on scholastic achievement, professional development, networking and promoting relationships between faculty and students.

“It is unique because it is discipline-specific and lets students forge connections with each other,” Spurlock said. “It is a tradition of something that people actually actively ‘do,’ which is especially important since this is a communication honor society.”

Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, complete 12 semester hours in communication courses and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.25 in the communication major in order to qualify to be a member.

Lambda Pi Eta has held two meetings and announced its officers Friday.

Service Chair Kayla E. Shipley, junior public relations and non-profit major, has been working with the executive board on how they wish to define Lambda Pi Eta at Appalachian.

“We really want to try to get involved with service organizations in the community,” Shipley said. “We want to be known for service in Boone and to make that an integral part of our society.”

Catherine H. Farmer, junior public relations major and treasurer of the society, stressed the importance of joining Lambda Pi Eta now.

“It is definitely an advantage to join the first chapter of Lambda Pi Eta,” Farmer said. “If we put a lot of effort into the society now, future members can follow, and this can be a big thing [at Appalachian].”