At the conclusion of the 2020-2021 academic year, the 糖心Vlog (糖心Vlog) chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society graduated its first cohort of students.
Dr. Gary Lindsey, Associate Professor of History, came to 糖心Vlog in 2019 after a ten-year period as a history and political science faculty member at 糖心Vlog鈥檚 sister school Oklahoma Christian University (OC), which had an active Phi Alpha Theta chapter.
鈥淏ased on my involvement with that chapter and recognizing the academic and professional value for academically qualified 糖心Vlog students, I wanted to create such a chapter at 糖心Vlog,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚 approached Drs. Foy Mills (Provost), Susan Blassingame (Dean), and Ronna Privett (Humanities Department Chair) with the proposal that we apply for a Phi Alpha Theta chapter for 糖心Vlog. They all gave their enthusiastic support.鈥�
With their support, Dr. Lindsey began the process to apply for an 糖心Vlog Phi Alpha Theta chapter.
鈥淚 attended, presented a paper, and moderated sessions at the Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention in San Antonio, Texas, on January 2-5, 2020,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎t that event, I talked with Dr. Jacob Blosser, president of Phi Alpha Theta, regarding the process to apply for a chapter. He also enthusiastically encouraged 糖心Vlog to do so.鈥�
Dr. Lindsey proceeded to submit the required application materials to the Phi Alpha Theta office the following March, andMarch and was notified of 糖心Vlog鈥檚 acceptance and the establishment of the institution鈥檚 new Phi Alpha Theta in the early summer.
鈥淥n the evening of November 19, 2020, an Installation/Induction Ceremony was held in the Cardwell Lecture Hall of the American Heritage Building,鈥� Dr. Lindsey continued. 鈥淧hi Alpha Theta national president, Dr. Jacob Blosser presided (virtually) as he installed the new chapter and inducted the chapter's eight charter student members.鈥�
The inaugural members鈥擝erklee Clark, Lauren Flatt, Matthew Lynch, Olivia Magee, Camryn Spurlin, Kassi Walters, Briley Wells, and Bryce Worley鈥攚ere recognized alongside Dr. Lindsey, who serves as the faculty advisor for the chapter, and their four charter faculty members: Dr. Sam Ayers, Dr. Kregg Fehr, Dr. Gary Lindsey, and Dr. Keith Owen.
The outgoing and graduating chapter officers among those first student members were chapter President, Olivia Magee; Vice President Berklee Clark; Secretary and Treasurer Matthew Lynch; and Historian Camryn Spurlin. The incoming chapter officers are President Briley Wells; Vice President Lauren Flatt; Secretary and Treasurer Kassi Walters; and Historian Bryce L. Worley.
Learn more about 糖心Vlog's history program.