Spring is here and so are our newest members! Students from across the nation completed their Steps to Induction this semester and their chapter leaders organized ceremonies in their honor.
Each of the Chapter Support Managers shared the exciting news with us and we’re inviting you to join in on the celebrations. Take a look at some of the events welcoming spring inductees into the NSLS family.
One Campus, Three Chapters
Three chapters joined forces in Denver, where Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver share one campus.
The NSLS chapters at each of these universities collaborated to plan their first in-person event since the pandemic, where more than 120 attendees celebrated 55 inductees.
The ceremony included two service opportunities for both members and guests: a donation station for Mutual Aid Monday, accepting canned goods, toiletries, and clothing for the local women’s shelter, and a Project Uplift station, where members could write motivating messages for students during exam week.
Alcorn State University
The Alcorn State University chapter inducted 98 members in Mississippi. Not only did they welcome their new members, they also awarded Lieutenant Colonel Jackey Fortenberry and Dr. Lekiesha Stewart with their Impact Staff and Faculty awards.
Themed “Lead from the Front,” the ceremony took place in the beautiful Ecology and Research building, and included speeches from every board member, each telling their story of how NSLS made them more confident in their goals and teamwork.
The ceremony demonstrated the ways in which the NSLS is a life-changing leadership program, illustrating for new members and their families how the NSLS helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and a positive impact in their communities.
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston Induction Ceremony boasted keynote speaker Jenny Thompson, one of the most decorated Olympians in history.
The chapter inducted 117 members who celebrated their commitment to service with the Bundles of Joy Diaper Drive, supporting families that can’t afford to buy them.
Everyone joined in on the fun of the self-made photo booth station, and the chapter’s very first student president — now alum — Spencer, also joined the celebration.
Joliet Junior College
Joliet Junior College, the oldest public community college in the nation, drew a 400-person crowd to welcome 169 members. They celebrated a year-end total of 350 new NSLS members.
The faculty showed off their technical programs to the visiting Chapter Support Manager, and even illustrated the creation of artificial limbs in their Orthotics and Prosthetics program.
Let’s celebrate the work of this chapter’s Executive Board, who organized such a wonderful welcome for their new members.
Marist College
The Marist College Induction Ceremony brought 125 new members into the fold this semester, illustrating major growth for this NSLS chapter! Marist collaborates with the NSLS for their Emerging Leaders Program, which has had fantastic success for over 15 years.
With a Student President speech that drew tears, the ceremony provided a warm welcome for the inductees who donned their NSLS pins this spring.
Spring Hill College
Spring Hill College hosted their first in-person induction ceremony since the pandemic, welcoming 38 new members. This year, this chapter hit the ground running by creating a campus promotion campaign, attending tabling events on campus, actively encouraging students to join the chapter, and helping current members complete their Steps to Induction.
105 people attended, including the entire school board, the university president and faculty, and many more. The provost made the keynote speech, and the chapter recognized the provost and university president with Honorary Member Awards. One new member, Kalla, brought the group to tears by sharing her daughter’s exclamation, “I can’t wait to be in the NSLS!”
To top it all off, the Spring Hill College Student Organization and Leadership Awards recognized this NSLS chapter with the award for Outstanding Student Organization of the Year. Read more about this chapter’s achievements.
St. John's University
St. John’s University celebrated 10 years with the NSLS this year with an epic ceremony that inducted over 280 new members! Congratulations are in order for this chapter surrounding these awesome achievements.
Taft College
Taft College inducted 36 members this year and about 90 people joined the celebration. Inductees were recognized and gifted with customized certificates, the Taft College Vice President of Student Services gave the administration welcome message, and a former Chapter Student President returned to give the keynote.
The community service chair organized a food drive to support the Dignity Health Food Pantry, and the E-Board asked each attendee to bring a minimum of one item as their ticket to the event.
The nearly 100 contributions will support Dignity Health’s Learning and Outreach Centers, which provide emergency food baskets to people facing food insecurity due to mental health, poverty, homelessness, and other hardships.
Tompkins Cortland Community College
Tompkins Cortland Community College celebrated 15 new members at their ceremony this year. Michael Lambert, received a standing ovation after his speech, in which he shared his journey since joining the NSLS last fall.
Within his Success Networking Team (SNT), his SMART goal was to get a job in his field of study after graduation. But instead, he felt so motivated after the SNT meetings that he landed a job in early January and is working full time while completing his degree.
Student President Josh closed the ceremony by sharing his own NSLS experience and announcing his transfer to SUNY Cortland this fall, where he plans to continue his E-Board journey. He hopes the two chapters can collaborate for social or community service events.
If we only had more time...
…We’d tell you so much more about other NSLS celebrations this spring! Special mentions include Anna Maria College (200 attendees) and Ohio Northern University (had so many guests and inductees that they held two ceremonies).
Lake-Sumter State College sent us a message highlighting the excellent work of their Student President, whom they request NSLS members keep in their thoughts as he navigates through a difficult time.
Baton Rouge Community College welcomed 38 new members, and the chapters at the College of Mount Saint Vincent and Genesee Community College “totally crushed it”, in the words of their CSM.
Binghamton University served brunch and awards for about 50 inductees and family members, while the chapter at St. John’s University - Staten Island Campus provided dinner for all in attendance.
Coy Martin hosted his 20th ceremony at Texas A&M University-Commerce and Wagner College welcomed a new advisor at their induction, who was one of the first chapter members in 2017.
Many of the induction ceremonies around the country featured service drives to support their local communities and follow through on our pillar of servant leadership. Read more about a chapter where students followed through on this value to turn their chapter into a service powerhouse.
