Honor Society for International Scholars Welcomes New Members

The Honor Society for International Scholars at the College of Coastal Georgia welcomed its new members for 2018.

The Theta Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Delta inducted eight students, five faculty and staff members, and five honorary members during a special ceremony and reception earlier this month. Among the honorees is College of Coastal Georgia Interim President Meg Amstutz.

The Honor Society for International Scholars was established by Phi Beta Delta at California State University at Long Beach in 1986 and was charted in 1987 with 38 founding members. It was the first national honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.

The College’s Theta Iota Chapter was chartered on April 27, 2017 and consists of faculty, staff, students, and local honorary members engaged in international education.

Attendees heard from students Leslie Nix, who studied abroad in Spain, and Maggie Cripps, originally from Northampton, Western Australia, who is studying at the College through a scholarship from Rotary International.

According to Nix, travelling to Madrid, Spain was on her bucket list. It was her first time overseas, which she called a life-changing experience.

“Study abroad enabled me to venture throughout historical areas and offered me a chance to learn about [the area’s] local history, as well as experience the culture and the traditions,” Nix said. “Going as a study abroad student was most beneficial, exciting, and my happiest time. It was the safest and easiest way to go travel abroad. Through it all, I’ve learned to be independent and have more confidence in myself.”

For Cripps, she didn’t realize the benefits of going to a small-sized college until she arrived at the College. Back home in Australia, she attends a college with approximately 30,000 students.

“It wasn’t until coming to Coastal Georgia that I experienced the sense of community people often say is one of the most enjoyable parts of going to college,” Cripps said. “My year abroad, studying in America, has been such a great experience. To be able to live in another country and study abroad was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up and I am thankful every day. Being able to study at the College has been a significant part of my experience in the United States and I learned so much from many different people and made lifelong friendships.”

Cripps said she will go back to Australia with great stories, memories, and an unhealthy addiction to biscuits.

The following were then inducted into the Honor Society for International Scholars:

Honorary members:

Dr. Margaret Amstutz – Interim President

Kay Hampton – Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Wayne Johnson – Chair of the College of Coastal Georgia Foundation and Market President for Synovus Bank

Bruce Whitmore – The Robert S. Abbott Race Unity Institute

Gisele Greaux – University System of Georgia European Council Coordinator

Faculty and staff members:

Sibille Chalkley – Adjunct Professor of Geology

Dr. Jim Fullerton – Associate Professor of Management and Leadership Development

Dr. Karen Hambright – Professor of Psychology

Allison Lyon – Assistant Dean of Student Life

Dr. Traesha Robertson – Assistant Professor of Biology

Student members:

Youssef Ben Hadj Ahmen – Business Administration (Finance)

Maggie Cripps – Business Administration (General)

Mariana Hipchen – Biological Sciences

Jaimee Howard – Middle Grades Education

Stefanie Klintworth – Psychology

Joshua Koszalkowski – American Studies (Communications and Culture)

Leslie Nix – Criminal Justice

Faten Saker – Business Administration (Marketing)

The College of Coastal Georgia’s Theta Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Delta was founded on April 27, 2017 by 11 students and 15 faculty and staff.

“Phi Beta Delta honors students, faculty, staff, and community leaders who have been active participants in international scholarship and educational opportunities, including study abroad and international faculty exchange programs,” said Interim Director of International Education and Director of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Jim Lynch. “Members work to promote international education on campus and in the community to create a ‘we are a place in the global environment’ view.”

Honorary members are those who have demonstrated significant support of and advocacy for international education at the College.