The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences hosted an induction ceremony for the Psi Chi international honor society on Nov. 20, recognizing the academic accomplishments of psychology students at NSU. Eighty undergraduate and graduate students from the college and NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies became Psi Chi members.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Weylin Sternglanz, Ph.D., associate professor at the college and faculty adviser for Psi Chi. Sternglanz commended the inductees for their achievement and also recognized the continued support of faculty and family members.
Each annual Psi Chi induction ceremony at NSU includes a keynote talk. Serving as this year’s speaker was Scott Poland, Ed.D., professor at NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies and co-director of NSU’s Office of Suicide and Violence Prevention.
Poland spoke on the role psychology can play in preventing and responding to the tragic deaths of children. He stressed the importance of prevention and urged the students—and audience members—to help children who demonstrate signs of poor mental health, such as depression.
“I know we can’t prevent every suicide, but we can prevent the majority of them,” Poland said. “I hope you’re able to use your degrees to help all the children you interact with.”
Following the keynote, Psi Chi chapter president Jose Luis Martinez Serrano formally inducted the new members, acknowledging each student in attendance by name. The inductees received certificates, membership cards, Psi Chi pins, and white roses, which Serrano called a symbol of their honorable achievement.
The inductees then joined friends, family members, faculty, and members of college administration for a celebratory reception.