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Alpha Alpha Alpha

Alpha Alpha Alpha
ΑΑΑ
FoundedMarch 24, 2018; 6 years ago (2018-03-24)
Moravian College
TypeHonor society
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisFirst-generation college students
ScopeNational
Colors  Blue and   Grey/Silver
Chapters286 active
NicknameTri-Alpha
Headquarters1200 Main Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
United States
Websitewww.1stgenhonors.org

Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society (Tri-Alpha) is an American honor society for first-generation college students. It was formed in 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

History

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Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) was an initiative of Carol Traupman-Carr, the associate provost of Moravian College (now Moravian University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1][2] It was established with the initiation of more than 100 members on March 24, 2018.[3][4][5][6] Tri-Alpha was created as an honor society for first-generation college students.[7][8]

Later, the honor society was incorporated as a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to expand to other colleges and universities.[4][5] Tri-Alpha recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation colleges students, creates a support network for those students, promotes leadership, and encourages enthusiasm for academics.[7][9][10] Initially, it expanded to small liberal arts colleges.[11] By April 2021, it has chartered 89 chapters.[11]

As of 2024, Alpha Alpha Alpha has chartered 287 chapters in the United States.[12] Its headquarters are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[13]

Symbols

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Alpha Alpha Alpha's emblem is an organizational pin.[4][14] The pin features Tri-Alpha's logo, which includes a star in the center of several circles.[15] The star symbolizes the inductees, who are "beacons of light for others to follow".[15] The circles represent its member'svarious communities—the unniversity community, their home community, and the wider world.[15]

Tri-Alphas colors and honor cord are blue and grey/silver.[16][14]

Membership

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Membership is by invitation and is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor's degree.[17][18][9] Eligible undergraduates must have complete thirty hours with a 3.2 GPA, and graduate students must have finished nine hours with a 3.5 GPA.[17][18][7][9] Faculty are eligible if they met the criteria as a first-generation student when they completed their undergraduate degree.[17][3] Tri-Alpha also initiates a small number of honorary and alumni members each year.[4][5] Once initiated, membership is for life.[19][7][3]

Chapters

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Main article: List of Alpha Alpha Alpha chapters

As of 2024, Alpha Alpha Alpha has chartered 287 chapters in the United States.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Todaro, Kristine Yahna (April 28, 2022). "A Community of Pathfinders". Muhlenberg College. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  2. ^ "Momentum for a more fulfilling college career". Etown News. Elizabethtown College. April 29, 2019. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  3. ^ a b c Zalaznick, Matt (October 14, 2019). "15 ideas for first-generation college student success |". University Business. Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via web.archive.org.
  4. ^ a b c d "About Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society | Center for First-Generation Student Incentives". Sacramento State. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  5. ^ a b c "Honor Society Added". Wittenberg University. March 16, 2019. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  6. ^ Girves, Ryan (2019-12-02). "Tri-Alpha Honor Society Inducts 1st Class on UK's Campus". UKNow. University of Kentucky. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  7. ^ a b c d "SLCC Announces Launch of Alpha Alpha Honor Society this Fall". The Crowley Post-Signal. Crowley, Louisiana. 2022-03-25. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Weatherly Woman in Honor Society". Standard-Speaker. Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 2021-11-25. pp. B12. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c "Local Students in Honor Society at Bloomsburg U." Standard-Speaker. Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 2020-09-24. pp. A10. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Midcoast Native Honored as First-Generation Student". The Coastal Journal Edition Forecaster. Brunswick, Maine. 2022-05-13. pp. A9. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b Giberson, Mariah (April 21, 2021). "Iowa Wesleyan offers honor society for first-generation college students". Southeast Iowa Union. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  12. ^ a b "Chapters by order of chartering". Alpha Alpha Alpha. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  13. ^ "Contact Us". Alpha Alpha Alpha. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  14. ^ a b "Bylaws". Alpha Alpha Alpha. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  15. ^ a b c Alu, Mary Ellen (2019-04-25). "Lehigh Students, Alumni Among Inductees into First-Generation Honor Society". Lehigh University. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  16. ^ "Tri-Alpha "swag"". Alpha Alpha Alpha. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  17. ^ a b c "Tri-Alpha (Alpha Alpha Alpha) // First Generation at Mizzou". University of Missouri. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  18. ^ a b "Central Seniors Graduate with Alpha Alpha Alpha Honors". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 2023-05-25. pp. M4. Retrieved 2024-10-03 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society". Bentley University. Retrieved 2024-10-03.