Drew University announced the formation of the Theta Mu Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), an honors society dedicated to recognizing the academic achievements and excellence of first-generation college students, in an email sent out Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The society was founded on March 24, 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, P.A. Over 100 members were initiated on that day, which included students, staff, faculty and alumni. Following this successful induction, Moravian took steps to incorporate Tri-Alpha on campuses across the country to recognize first-generation students nationwide.
To qualify for membership in Drew’s Theta Mu Chapter, applicants must be first-generation college students – according to the Tri-Alpha applicant form, “First-gen is defined as a student for whom neither parent/guardian earned a baccalaureate degree” and/or “a student who regularly resides with and receives support from only one parent/guardian and that parent/guardian did not earn a baccalaureate degree.” Applicants also must be currently enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester, have completed at least 56 credits, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and be able to attend the in-person induction ceremony. The inaugural induction will take place on Thursday Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
When searching for program opportunities, Johulin Zuluaga (C’11), a Student Success Adviser at Drew, came across Tri-Alpha and saw it as a perfect fit for Drew.
“I wanted to find more programming opportunities for Drew students and I came across Alpha Alpha Alpha. Immediately, I thought it would be amazing to celebrate the accomplishments of this demographic on campus. First-generation college students contribute greatly to our Drew community and they should be celebrated and appreciated,” said Zuluaga.
Notably, there will be no membership fee for students who have applied. Thanks to a generous donation from a first-generation Drew alumni, all fees for this induction have been waived. This donation ensures financial barriers do not stand in the way of deserving first-generation students being honored for their hard work.
Zuluga envisions Tri-Alpha evolving into a bigger event in the years to come. “I hope more students learn about this opportunity early on in their journey at Drew. I believe it will serve as a wonderful motivation for students by acknowledging their achievements, and continue to promote a sense of belonging,” she said.
The introduction of the Tri-Alpha Honors Society further enhances the support structures at the university for first-generation college students, which includes programs such as Academic Excellence Scholars, Educational Opportunity Scholars and the student-led first-generation club DrewFIRST.
“Tri-Alpha complements AES, EOS and DrewFIRST by honoring the work of students, staff and faculty within these specialized programs and clubs that have contributed to the Drew mission and its success. I would also add that Tri-Alpha complements the work of colleagues working with first-gen students and first-gen students who are not in these programs too, because we are all part of the Drew community,” said Zuluaga.
With the induction date approaching, Drew continues to take steps in fostering a welcoming and supportive environment where first-generation students can thrive academically and personally.
Benjamin Castro is a senior majoring in marketing & business and minoring in history.
Featured image courtesy of Pexels.com.
