UTSA establishes academic honor society for students with disabilities

UTSA Main Campus

By Jesus Chavez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Oct. 14, 2014) -- UTSA announces the creation of the Gamma Phi Chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society (DAPi), an international honor society for students with disabilities.

Gamma Phi is the first registered UTSA student organization founded specifically to recognize the academic accomplishments of students with disabilities. As part of the DAPi Honor Society community, it joins 92 other chapters around the globe.

"Through the implementation of Gamma Phi, the first international honor society at UTSA for students with disabilities, UTSA shows that it values all aspects of an inclusive student environment," said Dianne Hengst, Psy.D., director of UTSA Student Disability Services. "Diversity is more than just a word; it is an experience. I am honored to be part of helping expand that experience for UTSA students."

Delta Alpha Pi will hold the first induction ceremony for its inaugural cohort at 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10 in the H-E-B University Center Travis Room (2.202) on the UTSA Main Campus.

"Becoming a member of Gamma Phi and the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society means becoming a part of a recognized organization that highlights and embraces the outstanding accomplishments and contributions made by high-achieving UTSA students with disabilities," said Emily Holden, graduate student in the UTSA Department of Counseling and member of the inaugural Gamma Phi cohort. "This organization offers members the chance to not only shine a light on the diversity and strengths of students with disabilities but also to foster growth and enthusiasm within the inclusive and multicultural community at UTSA."

UTSA's chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi Honor Society is open to UTSA students with documented disabilities. To be accepted into the society, undergraduate students must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.10 or higher. Graduate students must have a minimum of 18 credit hours completed with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 or higher. Students also must demonstrate an active interest in disability issues.

Lisa Johns, director of learning assistance and assessment in the Tomás Rivera Center, and Bridget Dupree '09, disability specialist for UTSA Student Disability Services, will act as advisors for the honor society chapter.

"I am a UTSA alumna, and I was also a student with a disability," said Dupree. "Through my experiences, I came to understand the importance of creating a community connection for UTSA students with disabilities. It is an honor to help bring this opportunity to UTSA."

------------------------------

For more information about UTSA Student Disabilities Services or the Gamma Phi chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, visit the UTSA Student Disabilities Services website or call 210-458-4157.

Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Submit an Event

Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.