Southeastern Louisiana University

2008

 On Monday, March 17 Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures inducted a new group of two professors and twelve students into Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, International Foreign Language Honor Society. This is the forth time when the Department recognizes the outstanding ability of its students. This year inductees are students who major or minor in Spanish and French.  The initiation ceremony took place in the restaurant Michabelle and was presided by Dr. Lucia Harrison, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and Dr. Agnieszka Gutthy, PSI faculty advisor.  This year we were honored by the presence of the distinguished guests: Dr. Bryan De Poy, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Dr. Debra Westall, alumna of Southeastern Louisiana University and now professor of English at Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain, Mr. Antonio Matarredona, Education Advisor at the Embassy of Spain.

Inducted to Phi Sigma Iota were:  Christopher Paul, Elizabeth Kristine Fox, Brent McGovern, John Tiley, Erica Ingram, Gail McWilliams, Erin Triche, Michele Burns, Tara Hart, Jorrit Van Belzen, Devin Champagne, Casey Maureen Hoover,

Dr. Sarah Spence and Dr. George Townsend Dorrill.

On the photo:

From left to right, first, bottom row:  Erin Triche, Devin Champagne, Michele Burns, Dr. Lucia Harrison, Dr. Agnieszka Gutthy, Ms Marta Gumpert

Second row: Mr. Antonio Matarredona, Elizabeth K. Fox, Erica Ingram, Tara Hart, Ms Mariela Sánchez

Third row: Brent McGovern,  Christopher Paul, Casey Hoover, Dr. George Townsend Dorrill, Dr. Sarah Spence,  Dr. Margaret Marshall

Last row: Jorrit Van Belzen, Dr. Debra Westall, Dr. Francesco Fiumara, Dr. Luz Esacobar, John Tiley, Dr. Claudia Salcedo, Dr. Katherine Kolb, Ms Marcela Escudero de Espinel.

Phi Sigma Iota, International Foreign Language Honor Society is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages and literatures. It recognizes outstanding ability and high standards of students and faculty of foreign languages, literatures and cultures.
www.phisigmaiota.org

Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota was granted to the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Southeastern Louisiana University in October 2003 and Dr. Agnieszka Gutthy was designated as the Faculty Advisor. The Chapter Installation Ceremony and the Induction of the first group of students took place on March 25, 2004.

 14 students were invited to join Phi Sigma Iota this year. They have been selected by virtue of academic distinction in their general college courses and particularly as students of one or more foreign languages. Inductees were selected from students studying Spanish, French, and Latin.  The initiation ceremony was conducted at Michabelle March 23 by Department Head Lucia Harrison, PSI faculty advisor Agnieszka Gutthy, and PSI chapter President Caroline Mattheus.

 Inductees are Elsa Rodrigues, Amanda Sutton, Michelle Roger, Laura Thoms, Kristin Mehrgut, Rebeca Salcedo, Sarah Vitale, Brandi Hock, Michael hall, Sarah Robertson, Blanca Lambert, Carol Lopez Matos, Traci McGloster, and Shella Baham.

After the ceremony, the students, their professors and guests, enjoyed a banquet at a local French restaurant, Michabelle.

Special guests included Tammy Bourg, dean of the College of Arts,  Humanities, and Social Studies; Gonzalo Calderon, consul general of Costa Rica and dean of the Consular Corps; and Maria Asuncion Enrique Ruiz, education advisor at the Embassy of Spain.

All the professors and instructors in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures are very proud of the students. 

CONGRATULATIONS!