Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter Spring 2012 Initiation

My name is Sarah Zipperer and I am the current president of the Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi.My name is Sarah Zipperer and I am the current president of the Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. This virtual initiation is the product of collaboration among chapter officers from across the country.This virtual initiation is the product of collaboration among chapter officers from across the country. Greetings Candidates!

Our virtual candidates include learners from a variety of locations around the state of Georgia and beyond.Our virtual candidates include learners from a variety of locations around the state of Georgia and beyond. We welcome you and hope that you find this presentation meaningful. Welcome to KDP!We welcome you and hope that you find this presentation meaningful. Welcome to KDP!

ABK Chapter is 7.5 years old ABK Chapter was installed at Valdosta State University on March 9, 2004

ABK Chapter is Growing The chapter started with 38 members in Spring 2004 To date we have inducted over 500 members into the chapter!

ABK Chapter is a Leader Valdosta State University was the first and only university to which Kappa Delta Pi issued a chapter charter to a College of Arts and Sciences. We are still growing and establishing ourselves here on VSU’s campuses. This virtual initiation is an effort to serve those who attend virtual classes or who commute long distances.

ABK Chapter is Different With our hectic schedules, it is difficult for us to meet monthly as a group in a single physical location because we are spread around the state. We do hold two initiations during each year and plan to start holding at least one general meeting a year, most likely in the spring.

ABK Chapter is Involved Your officers meet online as needed to take care of the chapter’s business. Our greatest challenge is to find ways to serve our members better and to keep us all connected. Melissa Rainey, ABK President 2005 Hurricane Katrina Food Drive Jocelyn Campbell & Kourtney White, ABK Membership Committee 2005 Project Teddy bear Katherine Backes (R), ABK Historian 2005 Hurricane Katrina Food Drive

KDP is Progressive Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education is vitally interested in promoting excellence in education throughout the career lifecycle of its members KDP is highly progressive and leads the community of honor societies by embracing virtual universities and recognizing their scholarly accomplishments

KDP is Forever Once you attain membership in KDP, you will be a member for life If you lose contact after graduation, you may always reconnect as a member-at-large or by joining a professional chapter You may find KDP Headquarters online at We hope you decide to remain an active member throughout your career

This Initiation is Different Typically, a KDP initiation is done in a formal setting with family and friends attending. Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA William S. (Steve) Taisler (ABK President ) (center) and the setting is solemn. and the setting is solemn. Members and alumni of the chapter attend

This Initiation is The Same The ritual is a proud tradition repeated many times since 1927 Although the environment may be different, this version of the ritual remains consistent with those being experienced throughout KDP.

The Tradition is the Same Please treat this virtual initiation as a serious undertaking. This presentation attempts to provide as much of the solemnity and tradition as possible in a virtual environment. We have done our best to create the proper setting in our virtual environment.

As we begin… The original ritual of Kappa Delta Pi, written for the initiation of new members into the Society, was adopted by the Executive Council on March 3, The initiation ceremony ritual combined idealism, symbolism, and tradition. The ceremony was conducted in a “reverent and esthetic” manner, with symbols that suggested inspiration, introspection, and consciousness.

Welcome We, the officers and members of Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter, welcome you, our new prospective members, to our chapter. We would like to recognize each of you by name and to tell of your scholarship, but because of the nature of this presentation, we will have to recognize you as a group for your outstanding scholastic accomplishments at VSU. Emily Hunter, 1 st ABK President 2004

The Ceremony Members of the Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, we are now assembled to reaffirm faith in the Ideals of our Society and to initiate into membership candidates who seek the bond of our common purpose, to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education. Master Chief Steve Taisler, USAF, ABK President 2006

Our History Kappa Delta Pi was founded on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. The Society was incorporated on June 8, The Alpha Beta Kappa Chapter was installed by KDP former National KDP President, Dr. Marcella Kysilka on March 9th, 2004 Dr. Mary Ellen Dallman ABK Associate Counselor Associate Professor Dr. Marcella Kysilka Professor Emerita, University of Central Florida

What Does Membership Imply? Membership implies fostering the high ideals of the education profession by assuming trusteeship of a rich professional legacy. Candidates, you will be asked to accept the responsibility of transmitting this legacy at the end of the presentation. It is our privilege and duty as educators to transmit this legacy. Michelle (Backes) Parkerson, 1 st ABK Vice President 2004 ABK President 2005

What Does Membership Imply? Do you accept the responsibility of transmitting this legacy? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our responsibility in the transmission of this legacy.” Kourtney White, ABK Membership Chair 2006

Principles of the Society Education is a vital societal force that encourages universal welfare and individual progress. Education is the cornerstone of democracy and the foundation for personal fulfillment. Honor societies conduct rituals and ceremonies to impress upon their members the ideals and duties to which they adhere. Melissa Rainey ABK President 2005 & Dr. Moch

Principles of the Society Members of Kappa Delta Pi have cherished the Society’s Ideals and accepted the concepts of duty established when the organization was founded. It is desirable that new members of Kappa Delta Pi seek awareness of the duties which education imposes and of the Ideals of the Society accepts. Jennifer Johnston, ABK Treasurer 2005, Convo Delegate 2005

Ideals of the Society We present for your acceptance the Ideals which guide members of the Society. In a formal ceremony where the members gather together at the same place, candles are lit representing each ideal. In our virtual ceremony, these candles are represented graphically for each of the ideals. Korry Allen, ABK President 2008

Fidelity to Humanity The first Ideal is that of Fidelity to Humanity. compassion in the contacts one has, as an educator, with humanity; This Ideal implies faith in the potential of human beings and in the improvement of the human condition through education; Dr. Denise T. Reid, ABK Associate Counselor Professor

Fidelity to Humanity and dedication to the concept that through continuous education based upon equal opportunity, persons of all ages, races, and creeds will find increased opportunity for experiencing more meaningful lives. All of this is implied in the Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity. Maranda Powell, ABK Alternate Convo Delegate 2005

Fidelity to Humanity Do you accept this Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Current members may state “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Fidelity to Humanity.” Mandy Moore, ABK Historian & Convo Delegate 2009

Ideal of Science The second Ideal is that of Science. This Ideal implies that, as an educator, one will be faithful to the cause of free inquiry and strive to eliminate prejudice and superstition by withholding judgment until accurate and adequate evidence is obtained. Wendy Lane, 1 st ABK Historian ABK President 2004

Ideal of Science One will not distort evidence to support a favorite theory; not be blinded by the new or spectacular; nor condemn the old simply because it is old. All of this is implied in the Ideal of Science. Dr. Kysilka, former National President KDP, and Dr. Sheri Gravett, Associate Vice President Academic Affairs, ABK Member

Ideal of Science Do you accept this Ideal of Science? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Science.” Dr. Louis Levy, VSU Interim President, ABK Member

Ideal of Service The third Ideal is that of Service. This Ideal is the very essence of education which seeks advancement, not merely for self, but for society as well. The incentive of the great educators of the world has been their desire to serve humanity. Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Chief Planning Officer, ABK Member of the Society

Ideal of Service Service in education implies living so that others are strengthened and inspired, and striving for the achievement of justice, peace, and a better way of life for all. All of this is implied in the Ideal of Service. Dr. Sheri Gravett, Associate Vice President Academic Affairs, ABK Member of the Society

Ideal of Service Do you accept this Ideal of Service? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Service.” Dr. Sheri Gravett Associate Vice President Academic Affairs Member of the Society

Ideal of Toil The final Ideal is that of Toil. Toil - the will to do the task that must be done whether the task pleases one or not, and faith in the social necessity and intrinsic reward of the education profession. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor

Ideal of Toil It implies working with such faith and zeal that others are won to the cause of education. All of this is implied in the Ideal of Toil. If one life has been given greater freedom and nobler vision, toil has not been in vain. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor

Ideal of Toil Do you accept this Ideal of Toil? If so, you will answer, “I do” by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. Current members may state, “And we affirm anew our faith in the Ideal of Toil.” Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor

Society Emblem Our Society’s emblem incorporates: the scroll, and the characters K (Kappa), Δ (Delta), Π (Pi). the stylus, the beehive,

Society Emblem Many of the treasures of antiquity, which form the foundation of modern education, rest upon scrolls of papyrus. The golden scroll, therefore, is the foundation of our emblem. The shaft running through the scroll is the stylus, the first instrument known to be used in making letters and figures.

Society Emblem The beehive symbolizes toil. represent our motto — Knowledge, Duty, Power — words expressing the entire meaning of our educational ideals. The characters, K (Kappa), Δ (Delta), Π (Pi)

Are you ready to proceed? The Purpose and Ideals of Kappa Delta Pi are now known to you. Are you ready to assume the obligation of membership in Kappa Delta Pi? Emily Hunter, 1 st ABK President If so, you will answer, “I am” in the affirmation statement and continue to the conclusion of the initiation.

Obligation of the Society Please read aloud the Obligation of the Society: If you so promise, do so by completing the affirmation statement at the conclusion of the initiation. I promise to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of Kappa Delta Pi and to cooperate to expand the influence of its purpose and Ideals. Emily Hunter, 1 st ABK President

You Are Now Members I now declare you members of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, pledged to be faithful to its Ideals, and worthy to enter into the bonds of fellowship with its members. Emily Hunter, 1 st ABK President

So to Teach… -So to teach, that our words inspire a will to learn; To the fulfillment of these objectives, we pledge our efforts and our faith. -So to serve, that each day may enhance the growth of exploring minds; -So to live, that we may guide young and old to know the truth and love the right. Dr. Peggy L. Moch ABK Chapter Counselor KDP National Vice President Professor

Officers of ABK Chapter Dr. Peggy Moch – Counselor, National VP Dr. Denise Reid – Associate Counselor Dr. Julie Reffel – Associate Counselor. Sarah Zipperer – President Brittany Baldwin – Vice-President Chelsea Norton – Secretary Emily Wheeler - Treasurer Tasandra West – Historian Caitlin R. Bailey – Foundation Representative Denisha Dukes – Membership Chair

What Happens Next… You should receive your membership number from KDP Headquarters within two months. You should receive your KDP and chapter membership certificates, KDP pin, a copy of the KDP Creed, and the “Essential Guide for New members” from us within the month.

Conclusion This concludes the Spring 2012 ABK Chapter initiation. Please remember to complete your affirmation form. Without the affirmation, we cannot certify your initiation to KDP. Click on the link for affirmation provided on the online initiation main page.