Newest honor society inducts students, faculty and staff members

The newest honor society at Grand Valley inducted 25 students and 13 faculty and staff, and alumnae into its ranks during a ceremony held February 23 in the Kirkhof Center.

The Iota Iota Iota (Triota) induction ceremony was also a celebration of the first majors graduating from the Women and Gender Studies program. Kathleen Underwood, director of WGS and associate professor of history, said women's studies courses at Grand Valley began in 1973. The program was made a minor in the mid-1980s, and in 1997 it changed to include gender studies, consistent with a shift at other universities.

"In the past three years, there has been a striking increase in the numbers of students who have graduated with the minor; and the first majors, seven students, will graduate this April," Underwood said.

Provost Gayle R. Davis also spoke to the Triota inductees. As a women's studies graduate and scholar, Davis told the students about her experiences in the field.

"I learned that once you start examining the world through the lens of gender, you never look at it the same way again," Davis said.

There are 51 chapters of Triota throughout the country. Triota is named for ancient goddesses Inanna, Isthar and Isis.

Inductees who are honorary or associate members are Kathleen Blumreich, Maria Cimitile, Danielle DeMuth, Gayle Davis, Marlene Kowalski-Braun, Karen Libman, Julia Mason, Viochita Nachescu, Kathryn Remlinger, Linda Rynbrandt, Sara Waalkes, Wendy Wenner and Joanne Ziembo-Vogl. Student inductees need to meet requirements of a GPA of 3.0 or higher following six credits of WGS courses.

A student walks down a receiving line after being inducted into Triota, the honor society for Women and Gender Studies students. From left are Kathleen Underwood, Gayle Davis, Marlene Kowalski-Braun, Linda Rynbrandt, Sara Waalkes and Wendy Wenner / Photo by Heather Dixon