USAO inducts 10 into Hypatia Honor Society

Ten students at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma were honored recently for their academic achievements and community and campus activities as they were initiated into Hypatia, the USAO honor society.

The students were inducted during an awards luncheon attended by faculty, staff and family members Nov. 23. Dr. John Feaver, president of USAO, shared remarks at the ceremony. New members were initiated by Hypatia officers that include president Corey Coles, a biology major from Oklahoma City; vice president J.C. Benda, a biology major from Yukon, and secretary Jamie Lindenmeier, a BFA major from Greenwood, Delaware. Dr. Sanders Huguenin, vice president for academic affairs, gave the closing comments.

Dr. Nancy Warden, professor of mathematics and chairman of the Hypatia committee, said she enjoys spotlighting the selected students.

“Recognizing students through the Hypatia Honor Society is a highlight for me, because these individuals don’t always get the recognition they deserve for being outstanding students,” Warden said.

Faculty sponsors for Hypatia include Warden, Dr. Nancy Hector, associate professor of education and coordinator of field-based experiences; Dr. Charles Mather, professor of biology; Kent Lamar, professor of art, and Dr. Sanders Huguenin.

vice president of academic affairs.



The Hypatia Honor Society was founded in 1923 to honor students for their high academic achievements, character and integrity and service to the university and their community. The honor society was named after Hypatia, the famous Greek female mathematician. A faculty committee selects students for Hypatia. It is not possible for any student to apply for membership in the Honor Society.



Additionally, every student inducted into Hypatia is a multiple trimester member of the USAO Honor Roll and/or the Regents Honor Roll.



One of the features of the annual initiation luncheon is the signing of the Hypatia member book, a book that contains the signatures of every member of the elite honor society since its inception more than 86 years ago.



These initiates were honored:



Jillian Caldwell is from Elmore City and is pursuing a major in business with a minor in psychology. She is a member of the President’s Leadership Council, USAO Ambassadors, USAO Student Government, Student Activities Board, Volunteer Action Council and USAO Cheer.



Kelly Cosart is a business major from Exeter, California.



John Fitzgerald is working toward a BFA with an emphasis in graphic design. He is from Moore. Fitzgerald is a member of the USAO History Club, the USAO Art Club and the Zombie Survivalist Club.



Eric Monsebais is an economics major from Chickasha. Monsebais is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society at USAO. He serves as youth leader at his local church and as a sectional youth secretary for the United Pentecostal Church International.



Rebekah Murphy is from Oklahoma City and is a deaf education major with a Spanish minor. Murphy is a Regents' Baccalaureate Scholar and serves as the USAO Supreme Court chairwoman and secretary of the USAO Ambassadors. She is a member of the Baptist Student Union and the American Sign Language Club. Murphy volunteers as a tutor in her community and for the Summer Food-N-Fun outreach program.



Bled N'guessan is from Abidjan, Ivory Coast and is working towards a chemistry major, with a pre-pharmacy emphasis. N'guessan is a USAO Supreme Court Justice and a member of the USAO Ambassadors. She is active in Chi Alpha campus ministries and assists with the children’s ministry program at her church.



Quentin Pongratz is a double major in English and mathematics. He is from Del City. Pongratz is a member of Colleges Against Cancer and Residential Life Activities. He also serves as a tutor in the mathematics lab.



Kaycie Ragsdale is a speech-language pathology major from Lawton. She is a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and a youth sponsor at her church.



Jorden Wiggins majors in history and psychology. She is from Oklahoma City. Wiggins is a member of the History Club and Psi Chi. She is a volunteer in the USAO Community Garden and is a tutor in the writing center.



Kimberly Williams is an elementary education major from Lindsay. Her community activities include coaching a fourth-sixth grade winter league basketball team and a tee ball team. She serves as a volunteer at cross country and track meets. For the past 27 years, Williams has cooked food (with her family) for her community at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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