Phi Sigma Iota

International Foreign Language
Honor Society

Member of the Association of College Honor Societies

International Chapters

Northeast Region For the States: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV

Allegheny College, Meadville, PA Alpha Chapter #0
Allegheny College Alpha chapter inducted 37 new members at a ceremony on February 18, 2008, with a sit-down dinner for inductees, members, and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages faculty. Inductees were chosen for their excellence in their study of Spanish, French, German, Chinese, or Latin at Allegheny College. Associate Professor of Spanish and PSI faculty advisor Barbara D. Riess gave the opening remarks, congratulating students on their accomplishments and highlighting the importance of language and culture studies in a world where the so-called "clash of cultures" is seen as a threat instead of an opportunity for creating understanding. Student-members delivered short speeches on how language learning has marked their Allegheny College learning experience and their own awareness of themselves and their world. We welcome all new members and wish them continued success!

Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY Beta Omega Chapter #202
The Beta Omega Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota at Binghamton University will be having its annual induction ceremony on Sunday, April 27, 2008. We are happy to announce that more than 50 students are being inducted this year and that the President of our University, Lois B. DeFleur, will be one of our guest speakers. The Phi Sigma Iota Executive Board is excited that President DeFleur is speaking since she has an obvious and sincere devotion to international education. Our other guest speaker is Professor Marilyn Gaddis-Rose. Professor Gaddis-Rose is a Distinguished Service Professor who teaches courses in Translation and Comparative Literature. She was previously inducted into the University of Missouri Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota.
     Our chapter has also been busy planning for an informational session about Binghamton University's new 5-Year BA/MPA program for foreign language majors. This innovative program allows students to earn a BA in a foreign language as well as a Masters Degree in Public Administration in five years. We are excited to promote this program for all those who are language majors or considering a foreign language major.
     Earlier this year, we sponsored a study abroad dinner at which students shared their favorite ethnic foods and spoke about their experiences studying abroad. We also operated a booth at Binghamton University's annual Study Abroad Fair.
     In addition, our chapter of Phi Sigma Iota has collaborated with other organizations to sponsor and advertise various events of interest to our members including screenings of foreign films, lectures, and cultural events.

Cabrini College, Radnor, PA Gamma Xi Chapter #215
On Friday evening, April 18, 2008, eleven initiates were inducted into the Gamma Xi Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota. (See photo.) President of the chapter, Allison Superneau, Vice President, Christopher Sweeney and Secretary/Treasurer, Britany Wright, were there to participate in the candlelight ceremony and to congratulate the newest members. After the ceremony, the entire membership, together with Faculty Advisor, Dr. Cynthia Halpern and other foreign language faculty, Dr. Raquel Atena Green and Ms. Leslie Atik, enjoyed an international dinner together. The initiates for the 2007-2008 academic year are the following:Jennifer Bell, Nikole CzappRyan GallagherBrittany GiampolaKellie GiffordRaquel GreenRizwan IshmailAlyssa KuhnMaria McGuiganKasey MillerLeslie OsifatCongratulations to the new officers for the 2008-2009 academic year:President: Britany WrightVice President: Nikole CzappSecretary/Treasurer: Brittany GiampolaPicture: From left to right:Front row: Angela Rexer, Rizwan Ishmail, Alyssa Kuhn, Jennifer Bell, Brittany Giampola, Kellie Gifford, Nikole Czapp, Kasey Miller, Britany WrightBack row: Ryan Gallagher, Ms. Leslie Atik, Dr. Cynthia Halpern, Dr. Raquel Green, Christopher Sweeney, Allison Superneau

Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA Lambda Chapter #11
The Lambda chapter members have been an active group of students. In the Fall, they baked and sold cookies on campus and donated the proceeds to the Red Cross. And in the Spring they have a fundraiser planned for the last week of classes. In February, Phi Sigma Iota Lambda Chapter inducted 19 new members in a beautiful ceremony which parents and faculty alike attended. The speaker at the event was an alum and Phi Sigma Iota initiate from 2004 who was a graduate of French.

Niagara University, Niagara University, NY Alpha Upsilon Chapter #123
The Alpha Upsilon chapter of PSI has put together a Modern Languages Team to participate in the national Relay for Life to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The all-night event will take place on March 28-29 at Niagara University. The chapter induction ceremony, recognition of seniors, and annual banquet will take place at the end of April.

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Sigma Sigma Chapter #60
An exceptional turnout of family and friends attended the initiation ceremony held on November 15, 2007, with over forty members inducted. Associate Professor Liliana Sánchez, Dept. of Spanish & Portuguese, served as guest speaker. In addition, a very successful book sale was held to raise money for the local scholarship award.

Saint Vincent College, Latrobe PA Zeta Chi Chapter #246
Newly chartered in 2007, Zeta Chi sent a photo of the candlelight initiation ceremony held in December. In the front row: Dr. Doreen Blandino (chair of the Department of Modern Languages), Leah Turner, Angel Mertz, Karen Oldfield, Nicci Lucchetti, Julie Gulling, Kelly Cunningham, Vicente Gomis (faculty advisor), Robin Ewing (French instructor). In the back row: Michelle Gil-Montero (faculty in the English department, guest speaker), Solimar Moyer, Larisa Ziemianski, Father Renée Kollar (Dean of the School of Humanities and Fine Arts), Christina Steinhauser, Clara Miller, Emily Mikolic. Not in the picture, but also inducted was Cassidy Sobek. Congratulations on such a fine start!

North Central Region For the States: IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Beloit College, Beloit, WI Theta Chapter #8
Inducted nineteen new members on October 28, 2007.

Capital University, Columbus, OH Beta Theta Chapter #188
It is our pleasure to announce the upcoming induction ceremony of the Phi Sigma Iota, International Language Honors Society. The induction will take place on April 15th, 2008 at 4:30 pm. We will be inducting fifteen new members into the Beta Theta, Capital University Chapter. We will also hear from two members about their experiences studying abroad. Following the ceremony, we will enjoy a reception.

Kent State University, Kent, OH Gamma Pi Chapter #217
As its main activity this last year, Chapter Gamma Pi organized a study abroad information session in November. A complement to the larger Study Abroad Fair that took place at the Student Center, it was less formal. Our panel discussion focused on the university procedures and preparations a student must complete once they select a program. The panel consisted of two faculty members who have organized study abroad trips. Judith Carroll from the Office of International Affairs spoke about a variety of programs. Two student panelists shared their recent study abroad experiences as well. We were really pleased with the success of our workshop. Our faculty panelists were knowledgeable and informative and the student panelists gave us valuable insights. We had a wonderful student turnout with many showing interest in pursuing a study abroad program. An annual activity of our chapter is the Phi Sigma Iota Pizza Party held towards the end of each spring semester. It provides an informal setting for new and previous inductees to get to know each other and share their dedication to foreign languages and cultures with equally enthusiastic students. Typically, this is the time when we elect our officers and plan activities for the coming year.

Muskingum College, New Concord, OH Phi Nu Chapter #30
Their new website at: http//www.muskingum.edu/~modern/Phi_Sigma_Iota/index.html features photos of the November 14, 2007 initiation ceremony and a festive Christmas party. Ten new members joined in the celebrations.

North West Region For the States: AK, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY

Southeast Region For the States: AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, PR, TN, VA

East Carolina University, Greenville, NC Sigma Upsilon Chapter #62
Four candidates were initiated in a ceremony January 31, 2008 and this chapter is "running strong!" Their officers for 2007-08 include: President Libby Yee, VP and Program Director Shan Newton, Secretary/Treasurer Jill Dawkins, and Social Chairman Benjamin Hinton.

Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC Delta Psi Chapter #180
Delta Psi held its initiation ceremony on April 16 and proudly announces two members have received prestigious awards for study abroad in Germany: Kristi Moe was granted a Fulbright scholarship and Lark Walters a Rotary fellowship. Congratulations!!

South Central Region For the States: AR, KS, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

Cameron University, Lawton, OK Delta Rho Chapter #175
Cameron University's Delta Rho Chapter held its Initiation Banquet on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the Cameron University Ballroom. (See photo.) Students joining the Delta Rho chapter during the Initiation banquet were undergraduates Brian Douglas Adams, William Kyle Bolton, Geraldine C. Brady, Patrick Michael Copeland, Candace Rae Easterly, Joshan Hung, Julie Anne Lyman, Merrisa Kathleen Martinuzzi, Andrea Beth Rolin, Ibirijara Souza Vidal; graduate student Stacy Elaine Pratt; faculty member Rebecca Hunter Zittle; and visiting Fulbright Scholar 2007-2008 Ashish Kumar Pathak.
   Faculty advisor Teresa Lubrano installed the following officers for 2008-2009: President, William Kyle Bolton; Vice President, Joshan Hung; Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. George E. Stanley; Assistant Faculty Advisor, Misael Santiago.
   Scholarship and awards were also presented during the ceremony. The Lahoma Benke Scholarship was awarded to Crystal Kreiger Johnson, the Delta Rho Benke Scholarship was awarded to Leila Ghosn, and the Graziella Scholarship was awarded to Sara Phillips. Nine students received the Honeycutt "Flocci Non Facio" Scholarship to students of Latin: Kyle Bolton, John Chappell, Matt Clark, Patrick Copeland, Patricia DiLeo-Sanders, Daniela Krotzer, Ann Morris, Anthony Olivo and Gregory Woodard.
   Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Betty Aliff, Jessica Bench, Geraldine Brady, Sabine Brown, Donna Clopton, Lanal Dabbs, Patricia DiLeo-Sanders, Joan Gabelmann, Leila Ghosn, Stacey Greb, Brenda Honeycutt, Petra Keller-Benner, Corinne Sanders, Marc Sanders, Misael Santiago and Tahirah Simmons.

Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA Zeta Alpha Chapter #241
On Monday, March 17 Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures inducted a new group of two professors and fourteen students into Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota. This is the forth time when the Department recognizes the outstanding ability of its students. This year inductees are students who major or minor in Spanish and French. The initiation ceremony took place in the restaurant Michabelle and was presided by Dr. Lucia Harrison, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and Dr. Agnieszka Gutthy, PSI faculty advisor. This year we were honored by the presence of the distinguished guests: Dr. Bryan De Poy, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Dr. Debra Westall, alumna of Southeastern Louisiana University and now professor of English at Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain, Mr. Antonio Matarredona, Education Advisor at the Embassy of Spain.
Inducted to Phi Sigma Iota were: Christopher Paul, Elizabeth Kristine Fox, Brent McGovern, John Tiley, Erica Ingram, Gail McWilliams, Erin Triche, Michele Burns, Tara Hart, Jorrit Van Belzen, Devin Champagne, Casey Maureen Hoover, Dr. Sarah Spence and Dr. George Townsend Dorrill.
On the photo: From left to right, first, bottom row: Erin Triche, Devin Champagne, Michele Burns, Dr. Lucia Harrison, Dr. Agnieszka Gutthy, Ms Marta Gumpert Second row: Mr. Antonio Matarredona, Elizabeth K. Fox, Erica Ingram, Tara Hart, Ms Mariela Sánchez Third row: Brent McGovern, Christopher Paul, Casey Hoover, Dr. George Townsend Dorrill, Dr. Sarah Spence, Dr. Margaret Marshall Last row: Jorrit Van Belzen, Dr. Debra Westall, Dr. Francesco Fiumara, dr. Luz Esacobar, John Tiley, Dr. Katherine Kolb, Ms Marcela Escudero de Espinel.

Southwest Region For the States: AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV

California State University Chico, Chico, CA Beta Tau Chapter #197
The Beta Tau chapter has conducted a wide range of programs during the academic year. Highlights include:
Montse Armengou, a Spanish writer to give a lecture about the Spanish mass graves entitled "Literature and Journalism as a Weapon for Recovering Historical Memory;"
"They Still Draw Pictures: Children's Art in Wartime from the Spanish Civil War to Iraq." An art show about the history of the North American role in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath;
"Remembering: Film, Literature, and Art as Memorializing Acts for the Disappeared of the Hispanic World." Co-organizer of the visit of Christina M. Hardt, an award winning producer and director for TV and film to present the documentary Death in the Valle and talk about human rights violations, the disappeared, mass graves cover-up during dictatorships in the Hispanic world, and the effort to recover historical memory;
Trip to San Francisco, CA. Dedication memorial for the International Brigades. The Spanish Civil War and the role of the International Brigades in Spain.

San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA Eta Alpha Chapter #142
The Spring initiation ceremony was held on Tuesday April 29, 2008 at San Francisco State University. (See Photo) The event was a great success with 10 undergraduate honorees, 7 graduate honorees and 1 faculty honoree. We were delighted to have so many talented candidates. The ceremony had three presenters, Will Jameson (undergraduate student in Chinese) and Tolga Akgun (graduate student in French) shared their experiences with languages, and Jenny Liang (graduate student in Chinese) recited a poem of her creation in Chinese celebrating the learning of languages. Ms. Ismini Ioannou (Graduate student in Italian) was elected Student President for the next academic year, and Ms. Hilda Montanez (Graduate Student in Spanish) will be our Vice-Student President. A reception with delightful and insightful conversation followed the initiation. Congratulations to all!