ALD holds initiation ceremony
Students, along with their family members and friends, packed Towns Auditorium Friday, April 17 in order to celebrate the initiation of freshmen into the Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) honor society.
Bessie Grayson, the administrative advisor for the Liberty University chapter of ALD, said there is only one initiation ceremony each year, which is held in the spring semester.
“Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta is open to full-time freshmen students who earn a scholastic average of 3.5 or better at a four-year college or university with no repeats or failures,” Grayson said.
Liberty’s chapter has initiated more than 1,500 members since 1986, and 381 new initiates were added April 17, according to Grayson.
The initiation ceremony started at 7 p.m. as initiates, dressed in black and white, walked into the auditorium single-file and filled the front half of the auditorium.
Michael Romero, the Liberty University president of internal communication, opened the ceremony with prayer. Amanda Kieffer, the Liberty University chapter president, introduced Ben Gutierrez, vice provost for academic administration, as the speaker for the ceremony.
Gutierrez spoke of his fondness for the university’s programs and encouraged students to be great at whatever field that they choose.
“Be excellent at what you do,” Gutierrez said. “Be the very best.”
Gutierrez also encouraged students with Matthew 5:16 and told them to live their lives in a way that others will see their good deeds and give praise to God. Gutierrez ended by praying the Prayer of Saint Patrick over the students.
ALD officials presented Gutierrez by giving him honorary membership to the society and having him sign the chapter roll.
Marilyn Gadomski, the Liberty University chapter president of ALD, returned to the podium and presented the Pauline Donaldson Exemplary Award and the 2015 Jo Anne Trow Awards. Soon after, Gadomski read part of the constitution of ALD, and Kieffer led the initiates in the ALD oath.
Gadomski read off the names of all 381 initiates as they walked across the stage to receive their national ALD membership certificates and insignia pins for a lifetime membership.
The ceremony was followed by a dessert reception for all the initiates and their guests.
Grayson said this event would not be possible without help from fellow ALD members.
“Our current officers and advisors, along with several ALD members, … volunteer to help make this a memorable occasion for our new initiates and their guests,” Grayson said.
FOLEY is a news reporter.