The Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, an academic honor society of the National Communications Association, inducted 23 students during a ceremony and dinner held at McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood and Steaks in Center City Philadelphia. 

“Having such a large, qualified class is showing a very positive growth of our scholars, particularly in the communication studies program,” said Dr. Scott Gratson, director of communication studies. “It says we’re increasing our academic reputation, our academic rigor.”

Students in the Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter of Lambda Pi Eta are invited to join after having earned at least a 3.25 overall GPA, including at least a 3.5 major GPA and completed three semesters of a language other than English. These standards are more rigorous than the national standard for Lambda Pi Eta membership. 

“This is an organization that exists because of a love of learning,” Gratson said. 

The event marked the last time Tyler DeVice, a communication studies major, presided at an induction as Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter president. DeVice, KLN ‘18 led the organization for two and a half years, the longest term in chapter history. 

“It’s been a heck of a ride,” he said.

In addition to its scholarship, the chapter’s service component reflects Temple’s urban identity, Gratson said, highlighting the students’ past work with Morris Home, a residential recovery program for transgender and gender-variant individuals in Philadelphia. Such work, he said, represents the solid character of the students in the Alpha Beta Upsilon chapter. 

“We got students who are marching in AIDS walks because AIDS is a terrifying disease. We work with those who are dealing with addiction,” he said. 

In 2015, Alpha Beta Upsilon earned a new chapter award for its service to the larger Temple community. 

“Our chapter has done a good job of going off the beaten path with service,” DeVice said, adding the organization taught him much about leadership and community service that he would like to work as a mentor for the next generation of university leaders. 

“I had these wonderful faculty [members] at Temple, specifically Klein College, who helped me get involved and who were helping me challenge myself,” he said. “That type of mentorship was very special to me.”