The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University chapter of Tri-Alpha, the national honor society for first-generation college students, held its first induction ceremony on Sunday, April 16, at the Quad on the SJU campus. More than 30 students, faculty/staff and alumni were inducted. Dr. Carol Bruess was the guest speaker.
Theresa Anderson, director of the Academic Skill Center, is one of two co-advisors to the chapter.
“In establishing the CSB and SJU chapter of Tri-Alpha, we are able to call out the outsized achievements of first-generation students who are breaking new ground in their families, showing up for themselves in brave ways by asking questions, accessing resources, and learning the culture of college,” she said. “It was a great honor to recognize the inaugural student, faculty/staff, and honorary inductees to the Tri-Alpha honor society.”
Malik Stewart, director of the Multicultural Center, is the other co-advisor.
“I’m very proud of the student leaders that made this possible,” he added. “This is the start of something that will transform the first-generation student experience at CSB and SJU.”
Criteria for induction include being a first-generation student, sophomore status or having completed at least 30 credit hours, and a 3.2 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Here is a list of the 2023 inductees into Tri-Alpha at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, listed alphabetically:
Students
Jazmin Acuna – Big Lake, Minnesota; Biochemistry
Dana Alcala – Riverton, Utah; Communication
Oyuky Arragon-Flores – Forest Lake Minnesota; Nursing
Areli De Rosas-Lazaro – Albert Lea, Minnesota; Psychology/Mathematics
Teniesha Ferguson – Nassau, The Bahamas; Biochemistry
Edith Gomez – Buffalo, Minnesota; Hispanic Studies/Psychology
Ibett Gomez – Buffalo, Minnesota; Global Business Leadership
Amelia Kahlhamer – Avon, Minnesota; English/Sociology
Summer Langva – Big Lake, Minnesota; Communication/Art
Arlette Lazaro – Faribault, Minnesota; Accounting
Ernesto Lazaro – Medford, Minnesota; Global Business Leadership
Suree Lor – St. Paul, Minnesota; Biology
Katelynn Meier – Grantsburg, Wisconsin; Economics/Hispanic Studies
Liam Miller – Nassau, The Bahamas; Economics
Clair Moonen – Delano, Minnesota; Political Science
Gabriela Perez Sanchez – Cold Spring, Minnesota; Psychology
Kennedy Pexa – New Germany, Minnesota; Biochemistry/Pre-Med
Jaden Philippi – Cold Spring, Minnesota; Biology
Durran Thompson – Nassau, The Bahamas; Accounting
Alexandria Watkins – Nassau, The Bahamas; Computer Science
Elise Yeager – Clearwater, Minnesota; Mathematics
Faculty/Staff
Theresa Anderson – Study Center
Laura Hammond – Experience & Professional Development
Lisa Miller – Alumni Relations
Brad Neary – Heritage Program
Malik Stewart – Multicultural Center
Linda Tennison – Psychology
Lucas Vetsch – Experience & Professional Development
Honorary
Taja Longley – Nassau, The Bahamas; Communication
Jesus Medina – Immokalee, Florida; Communication
Felicia Monteiro – Mumbai, India; Global Business Leadership
Sydney Robinson – Multicultural Center
Dr. Carol Bruess (left), who was the keynote speaker at the inaugural induction of the CSB and SJU chapter of Tri-Alpha, joined Jesus Medina Jr. ‘25, Taja Longley ’23 and Jesus Segovia ’24 at the event. The three students are the coordinators for the First-Generation Organization.