by Shay Carr
The Gamma Zeta chapter of Chi Sigma Iota held their annual spring banquet on April 1 at 5 p.m. in the Hubbard Dining Hall. During the banquet, 26 students were initiated into the society. New officers and committee chairs were also initiated, followed by the awards ceremony. Dr. Rebecca Stanard, associate dean for the College of Education, offered students words of encouragement and congratulated them on being the largest initiation group for this chapter.
Chi Sigma Iota is an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling. Dr. Stanard established the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota in 1998. She explained that this isn’t a student run organization; it’s a professional society, and CSI members are among the elite when it comes to counseling. Dr. Stanard concluded by stating, “I’ve never reviewed a self-study or visited another program I haven’t come back and been glad to be here at the University of West Georgia. I’ve seen some fine programs, but I’ve never seen any as good as this one.”
Tina Harvey, chapter co-president, and Daphanie Offutt, chapter co-president, both initiated the new members, officers and committee chairs. Daphanie presented awards to three outstanding members for going above expectations. Dr. Julia Chibbaro received the outstanding faculty award, Tina Harvey received the outstanding entry level student award and Sarah Bechiom received the outstanding service to chapter award. Sarah, president of the Gamma Zeta chapter, closed by saying how proud she is of this group of new initiates and how proud they should be of themselves.
