Bethel Resident Mary Gajda Inducted Into New Honor Society Chapter for First-generation Students at College of the Holy Cross

Mary Gajda of Bethel has been inducted into Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society, a national honor society recognizing the achievements of first-generation students, alumni, staff, faculty and administrators. Gajda, a member of the Class of 2024, was one of 123 students inducted into the honor society's new chapter at Holy Cross named Delta Omicron.

Founded in 2018, Tri-Alpha promotes academic excellence and provides members with a multitude of benefits, including opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, campus and community service and the opportunity to receive mentoring from more senior first-generation students, as well as faculty, staff and alumni who were first-generation students.

To qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha students must meet the following criteria:

  • The student has earned at least 30 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree.
  • The student has achieved an overall grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Neither the student's parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor's degree.

Michele Murray, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said the College has established the Delta Omicron chapter of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society as a way to recognize high-achieving first-generation students who bring a diverse set of ideas and backgrounds to campus.

"I'm grateful to the staff of Academic Services and Learning Resources and the Office of Multicultural Education for bringing Tri-Alpha to Holy Cross," said Murray. "Not only does membership in Tri-Alpha shine a bright light on the achievements of first-generation students, but it also affords students the opportunity to build their networks. The inaugural class of inductees is blazing a trail for others to follow."

In addition to the student inductees, two members of the College community were inducted as honorary members: Jorge Santos, associate professor of English, and Justine Fisher, associate director of Academic Services and Learning Resources.

Tri-Alpha is one of 20 honor societies on the College of the Holy Cross campus.

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Submitted by Bethel, CT

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