BOONE—Appalachian State University’s chapter of Tau Sigma National Transfer Student Honor Society recently inducted the largest group of students since its formation in 2010. In March, 380 students were invited to join Tau Sigma, just slightly below 25 percent of all students transferring to Appalachian in 2015, and 128 students accepted membership – more than twice as many as in 2015.

Candidacy for membership in Tau Sigma is granted to students who have transferred to Appalachian after completing at least one year at a prior institution and who earned 3.5 GPA or higher, or placed in the top 20 percent of all incoming transfer students in their first term. The students inducted this semester had all transferred to Appalachian in spring, summer or fall of 2015. The average GPA of those invited for membership this year was 3.76.

Tau Sigma Advisor Bob Charlebois said, “We are so pleased to recognize and celebrate the academic accomplishments of this group of truly outstanding students. To have so many join our organization this semester is just great. There is often an assumption that transfer students are academically underprepared. Tau Sigma is thrilled to help disprove that assumption.”

Nearly 180 people including parents, spouses, family and friends attended the induction ceremony. Keynote speaker Dr. Sue Edwards, Appalachian’s interim vice provost, spoke about the difficulties one faces in life and as a transfer student, and what a feat it is to overcome both and perform at such a high academic level.

This is the second year Tau Sigma has recognized faculty and staff as Transfer Star Honorary Members. Kendal McDevitt, senior associate director for recruitment in the Office of Admissions, was recognized for her ongoing work on behalf of transfer students – including her work with the Transfer Student Services Committee and transfer initiatives in the Office of Admissions. Dr. Ted Zerucha, former assistant chair of the Department of Biology and now interim director of The Honors College, was recognized for his years of exceptional support of transfer students in biology.

Membership in Tau Sigma is still possible to all who received an invitation this semester. Contact Bob Charlebois at [email protected] for more information.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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