Young Harris College Students Inducted Into Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society

Thursday, April 21, 2016
General College
Academics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kyle Huneycutt
(706) 379-5319,
khuneycutt@yhc.edu

Young Harris College Students Inducted Into Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Nineteen Young Harris College students were inducted as members of the Alpha Omicron Theta chapter of the national history honor society Phi Alpha Theta during a special ceremony held in Wilson Lecture Hall of Goolsby Center on the YHC campus on April 14.

"We in the History Department are so proud to welcome these new initiates to Phi Alpha Theta,” said Chair of the History Department and Assistant Professor of History Matthew Byron, Ph.D. “Their induction into this national honor society is a reflection of the hard work and dedication they have applied to their classroom performances and to the quality of their characters as young adults."

Phi Alpha Theta aims to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. The society also seeks to bring students and educators together for intellectual and social exchanges in order to encourage historical research and publication.

“I was excited about being inducted because I recognize the hard work I had to put in to qualify to be a member of such a prestigious society,” said junior history major Jada Williams of Snellville, Ga. “I also know that the society will provide me with more resources later in my academic career to help me achieve success.”

Founded in 1921, this American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history has more than 900 local chapters. Election to membership in Phi Alpha Theta is open to all undergraduates with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.1 for history courses with 12 semester hours completed.

“It is a privilege and honor to be a part of Phi Alpha Theta,” said junior theatre major Leah Wood of Andrews, N.C. “I am glad to be able to carry this honor with me as I continue to pursue my higher education.”

In addition to Wood and Williams, new student members include sophomore business and public policy major Boyd Dailey of Buford, Ga., sophomore English major Helon Dobbins of Milton, Ga., senior education major Shaunmarie Dotson of Blairsville, Ga., junior history major Jessica DuBose of Thomasville, Ga., junior history major Jason Edwards of Young Harris, Ga., sophomore history major Alicia Guzman of Powder Springs, Ga., senior English major Lauren Hohn of Marietta, Ga., sophomore interdisciplinary studies major Lauren James of Griffin, Ga., sophomore psychology major Savannah Ledford of Talmo, Ga., senior history major Jared Lee of Lula, Ga., senior business and public policy major McKenzie Lundgren of Blairsville, Ga., senior business and public policy major Sarah Magill of Lakewood, Calif., sophomore communication studies major Thomas McDonough of Atlanta, Ga., senior history major Carter Moore of Columbus, Ga., senior communication studies major Delaney Remsen of Evans, Ga., senior history major Zachary Vick of Rome, Ga. and sophomore history major Anthony Yebba of Morganton, Ga.

The induction ceremony was followed by a special guest lecture by YHC alumna Connie Wallace, ’13, who was inducted as a charter member of Phi Alpha Theta in 2013. She delivered a presentation titled “Flirtation by Postage Stamp: Using Digital Tools to Analyze the Space of Letter Writing and Sexuality in Sam Riggins’ WWI Correspondence.” Wallace is currently pursuing a master’s degree in history at Clemson University.

For more information about Phi Alpha Theta visit phialphatheta.org.

For more information about the YHC chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, contact Dr. Byron at (706) 379-5221.

About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,200 students across five divisions—Education, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. In 2014, the College was granted active membership in NCAA Division II and is a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. YHC is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2015-2016 list of Colleges of Distinction. For more information, visit yhc.edu.

A new group of Young Harris College students was recently inducted into Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.

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