Who Are We?
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Established in 1991, the chapter is presently comprised of over 300 student and honorary members. To become a member of Eta Lambda, an SCE student must meet several criteria, including matriculation into a degree program and high academic achievement. Each Fall an Induction Ceremony is held to honor those students selected for membership. Simultaneously, two or three College faculty, administrators, or other members of the P.C. community are invited to become honorary members of the chapter.
The present student chapter officers are as follows:
President: Sue Jamiel
Vice-President: Kathryn Grayson
Secretary: Mary Klette
Treasurer: Nancy Kelley
The members of Eta Lambda are recognized for high academic achievement while balancing the competing priorities of adult students’ lives. A major focus of the organization is service, and Eta Lambda sponsors a number of community service projects each year. All members of the P.C. community are invited to participate in the projects.
For example, this year the chapter has organized and implemented the following projects:
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: 20 complete dinner baskets, including turkeys, were assembled from donations and delivered to the local organization D.A.R.E. for distribution to neighborhood families in need. Eta Lambda advertised the drive, received donations, assembled the baskets, and delivered the items.
CHRISTMAS “ADOPT-A-FAMILY” AND “GIVING STOCKING”: A Smith Hill neighborhood family consisting of a mother and three children received gifts, toys, clothing, and a dinner basket to help brighten their Christmas. A letter of thanks from the Smith Hill Center and the specific family were sent to Marcia Harrop, English faculty in SCE and one of Eta Lambda’s honorary members.
The Camp Street Community Ministries in Providence received about forty individual toys and items of clothing for children 1 – 16 years of age for their annual Christmas project.
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“Local Girl Scouts and P.C.’s Eta Lambda chapter collected and made blankets for the residents served by Camp Street Community Ministries in Providence.” – winter 2006."
Letter from Capital City Community Centers
The following is excerpted from the keynote address given at the April 2006 Eta Lambda Induction ceremony by SCE graduate Chandra Rodrigues, 2002:
…”One of God’s gifts that he gives to us is the ability to choose. And when you go back to school as an adult, it is because you choose to do so. The reasons vary. I made my decision for moral and social reasons. I had my high school diploma. I went to Katharine Gibbs and was certified as an Administrative Medical Assistant, but that was not my passion. I had always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a child; however, I had my son in my senior year of high school and my wants became secondary to his needs.”
…”On the first page of my high school senior yearbook, a quote from George Washington Carver was used. “Education is the key to liberation.” At that time in my life, I didn’t truly understand the full meaning of the quote. Twenty years later, desperately needing a change of life – the full meaning of that quote became very clear….But the obstacles – time, money, and being away from my family outweighed the immediate benefits. Besides, I made a decent salary, and I loved the people I worked with – but personally I felt something was missing in my life. I knew I still wanted to teach.”
…”after reading the (PC SCE) Mission Statement, two ideas stuck out – that they were committed to promoting academic excellence and that the college provided opportunities for intellectual, social, moral, and spiritual growth in a supportive environment. That was key for me….When I got to the massive door of Harkins Hall, I paused. I felt a sense of exhilaration and knew that this was going to be a positive change in my life. I looked at the campus and thought that Spring had painted a pretty picture here. The campus bloomed with lots of greenery and beautiful flowers and I even saw a bunny rabbit run across the lawn. The words “fresh,” “new,” and “rebirth” came to mind – a sign of new beginnings.”
“…From that moment on, I was embraced in the nurturing and supportive arms of Providence College. I began with one summer course in 1996, gradually adding more courses to each semester. I finally received my bachelor’s degree in 2002, along with my teaching certification. …I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity given to me by Providence College to fulfill my dream. This is a college that actually lives up to its mission statement. It is enhanced by a winning combination of professors who are not only experts in their subjects but are down to earth people who are approachable and compassionate and who are honestly concerned with their students’ progress and success.”
“In closing, I would like to quote Proverb 2, verses 9 and 10”
Get Wisdom then you will understand righteousness, justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Thank you and God Bless.”
To read the national ASL newsletter, Midnight Oil, online, click here: http://www.alphasigmalambda.org/oil/index.htm