Seminole State College’s chapter of the Psi Beta recently inducted ten new members into the honor society. Students inducted were: Emma Buchanan of Chandler, Taleigh Estrada of Meeker, Emilia Gates of Seminole, Alexis Goddard of Prague, Loralei Grills of Holdenville, Tara Pool of Shawnee, Timothy Heath of Shawnee, Abigail Ridley of Tecumseh, Hannah Ridley of Tecumseh and Carrie Yerby of Maud.

After students were inducted, they were presented with a pin, certificate of achievement and honor stole to wear at commencement, as well as SSC memorabilia. Two students were awarded the Psi Beta honor medal: Abigail and Hannah Ridley for exhibiting outstanding performance in meeting the mission of Psi Beta- excellence in scholarship, leadership, research and community service.

This year students helped the SSC community by coordinating and hosting Mental Health Awareness Day that brought community agencies to campus to share information and resources with students. Psi Beta students also created and distributed hundreds of stress-relief packets with stress-coping strategies and a stress-relief toy to their fellow students. They also sponsored a table at the SSC Trick-or-Treat Trail and passed out candy to children and families.

The group also attended events, including the Careers in Psychology panel at East Central University to learn about the field of psychology.

Professor of Psychology Christal Knowles serves as the faculty sponsor for the group.

“All of these students have demonstrated not only the intellectual capability to succeed in the classroom, but they also have demonstrated a strong commitment to serve their community. I am very proud of these students and what they have accomplished in their academic careers, and I anticipate many more great things from them in the future,” Knowles said.

Psi Beta is the national honor society in psychology for community and junior colleges. The mission of Psi Beta is professional development of psychology students through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research and community service. To become a member, students are required to have an overall grade point average of 3.25 with at least a “B” or better in an introductory psychology class and to have demonstrated a genuine interest in psychology. SSC has held an active charter with Psi Beta since 1996.

For more information regarding the SSC chapter of Psi Beta, contact Knowles at 405-382-3207 or c.knowles@sscok.edu.