"St. John's University KDP Sweeps Awards at Honor Society Conference: The Geek Squad Feels the Celebrity Status in Indy."

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Here at the School of Education at the St. John’s University Queens Campus, Kappa Delta Pi, Kappa Eta Chapter made their mark at the 48th Biennial Convocation in Indianapolis. The conference theme was Crossroads of Excellence, which symbolized educators coming togetherand crossing paths, all while striving to help one another become the best they can be. The Kappa Eta Chapter takes this notion head on each and every day, creating a family within the School of Education. Kappa Delta Pi is an International Honor Society in Education. This Honor Society is internationally renowned and holds high prestige in the world of Education. Our very own Kappa Eta Chapter here at St. John’s University presents itself as a community. Students come together to attend a variety of professional development, social, and service events throughout the year. The idea of future educators uniting with a common goal of excellence is what Kappa Delta Pi is all about.         

The Kappa Eta Chapter had the great honor to present at the 2011 Convocation in Indianapolis. They worked vigorously on a cohesive program to show just how dedicated their chapter is. Executive board members created a multi-dimensional poster decorated with pictures representing all that they have done within the past two years. The Kappa Eta executive board also created an intensive presentation on Charter Schools vs. Public Schools; posing the pros and cons of both, and incorporating educational changes within the New York City Metropolitan area. Secretary, Jessica Williams stated, “Kappa Eta moved as a unit, everything we did, we did together.” It is that very unit that Jessica speaks of which made the experience and presentation so successful.        

Co-Membership Chair, Kelvin Sage, had a great experience during Convocation. The atmosphere was exciting, as the Kappa Eta chapter experienced downtown Indianapolis. Kelvin explained, “We were right across from the football area, and we were able to see downtown Indianapolis. Everything was located inside the hotel; conferences, ceremonies, all enabling flexibility to move around and meet and collaborate with other chapters.” Kelvin felt that networking was one of the most beneficial aspects that the trip had to offer; “Networking was key. We got to hear from professionals already in the field of teaching, along with people who share similar goals and interests, all while hearing their different perspectives. The Kappa Eta Chapter also had the opportunity to talk to the other chapters at Convocation. Other chapters took ideas off of what Kappa Eta does, which shows how far our work has come.” Kelvin stressed the teamwork aspect of the executive board members, which embodies just what the Kappa Eta Chapter strives for.           

Teamwork continues to be the main theme that all members spoke of; Co-Vice President Ashley Thomas being one of them. Ashley was thrilled to be a part of the 2011 Convocation team. The hard work and dedication that her and her fellow members put into the chapter was most certainly a force to be reckoned with once it came down to the presentation. Ashley stated, “Kappa Delta Pi’s 48^th Convocation gave me the bigger picture as to what Kappa Delta Pi is really about, and how big this international honor society really is. We ourselves came up with the topic for presentation: Charter vs. Public and we conducted our own research. We interviewed professors and went to charter schools in the area to learn more.” The amount of work the Kappa Eta team put in truly shows their character and passion for learning, growing, networking, and collaborating. Ashley continued, “Convocation really allowed me to open my eyes how big Kappa Delta Pi is. I met so many other students from various universities and learned about how they run their chapters at their schools. I networked like crazy.”        

The Kappa Eta Chapter accomplished a great deal from their trip to Indianapolis. At the conclusion of Convocation, the Kappa Eta Chapter was presented the Achieving Chapter of Excellence (ACE) award for a fourth time, which puts them in the top 25 out of the 582 chapters across the globe. To top off this great accomplishment, two individual awards were presented to Kappa Eta’s Associate Counselor, Ms. Alexandra Foukalas, and Chapter Counselor, Dean Charisse Willis. Ms. Foukalas was presented the Distinguished Chapter Officer Award, which is awarded to a select few officers who embody leadership, programming excellence, and overall team bonding within their chapters. Ms. Foukalas has put in hard work and dedication day in and day out to enhance Kappa Delta Pi’s Kappa Eta Chapter. Dean Willis was presented the Lucinda Rose Counselor Award, which makes her the most renowned counselor within the international KDP community for this biennium. Out of the 582 Kappa Delta Pi chapters, Dean Charisse Willis was the one counselor chosen for this highly selective award. She displayed her extraordinary efforts and dedication to KDP—all the more showing what a great team the entire chapter is. 

President Erica Zissel is extremely proud of the Kappa Eta team, as she states, “This is an international honor society, and to have Kappa Eta recognized on the largest stage in Kappa Delta Pi really motivated me to work even harder to attain our ultimate goal.  Attending Convo showed me that my role as President is even bigger than I had ever imagined.  I am a leader in one of the best, if not the best, chapters in the world.  I wanted to bring back everything I learned and share it with my members.” Pride and unity within the Kappa Eta team illuminated from each and every member. 

That pride and unity not only instilled upon Kappa Eta’s members, but also to the headquarters staff, including Executive Director Faye Snodgress. In regard, to Kappa Eta, Snodgress expressed her gratitude for all the team has done in stating, “I want to thank the Kappa Eta Convo team for all of your hard work, assistance, enthusiasm and spirit. You contributed so much to Convo that benefited everyone. As an ACE chapter with outstanding student and faculty leadership, you serve as an inspiration for other chapters.” The Kappa Eta Chapter has made great strides, all compiling to create this amazing, unstoppable, family-like unit—which is apparent to everyone around them.

The Kappa Eta Chapter left Indianapolis with a broader outlook on how instrumental and impacting this unit can be. The ideals and benefits will stick with the executive board members for their entire lives. This experience will be unforgettable, and the bonds made will be everlasting. In closing, Co-Vice President, Sharon Kim, eloquently wraps up the experience by saying, “Convo confirmed that we are doing something amazing here at St. John's. I'm proud to be a part of Kappa Eta and Kappa Delta Pi as a whole.”