Chowan University recently inducted 23 new members into the honor society Pi Gamma Mu, the international honor society in social sciences, during a ceremony on Nov. 17 in Vaughan Auditorium. Graduating seniors received their honor cords, and the recipients of the Pi Gamma Mu faculty, student and scholarship awards were announced.

Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest and preeminent honor society in the social sciences. Their mission is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship in social science disciplines and to foster cooperation and social service among its members. Pi Gamma Mu serves the various social science disciplines that seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues. Currently, Chowan University is one of only around 150 active chapters in the United States and overseas.

The North Carolina Alpha Beta Chapter Faculty Award is presented to a faculty member in the social sciences to recognize teaching excellence and commitment to the ideals of Pi Gamma Mu. The 2015 recipient was Dr. Gladys DeJesus, chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and distinguished professor of economics, as well as the coordinator of social sciences.

The fall 2015 Pi Gammu Mu inductees included these local students:

Calvin Bowe, a junior criminal justice law enforcement major

LeAnne Crabtree, a senior humanities studies major

Lauren Rice, a junior alcohol and drug studies psychology major