Photos of the Induction Ceremony

April 9, 2003: Seven students were inducted into Trinity College's Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha as full members, five were inducted as associate members, and Dr. Elizabeth James Duke was inducted as the Chapter's fourth honorary member. Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society.

Dr. Duke has been a Professor of Political Science at Trinity College since 1969. After teaching full-time at Trinity, she began a distinguished federal career in 1978, first in the Office of Personnel and Management, and then at the Department of Health and Human Services. In March 2002, she was named administrator of the Department's Health Resources and Services Administration by Secretary Tommy Thompson. She manages a $6.5 billion budget and more than 2,000 employees. HRSA programs include the Community and Migrant Health Program, the Ryan White Program for people living with HIV/AIDS, and the National Health Services Corps.

The seven new full members inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha met the requirements for membership: Have at least junior standing, at least 18 total credit hours of political science, including a 400 level course, and at least a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 in all political science courses taken at Trinity. Full members are:

Ernestine Blango
Elizabeth Boniface
Cathleeen Gough
Aisha McCrary
Janice O'Malley
Laura Oyini
Lorraine Silva

Associate members must complete at least 9 credit hours of political science at Trinity with at least a 3.0 in those courses. New associate members are:

Joelle Bitihari
Renetta Davis
Elizabeth Karas
Ashlyn Shockley
Dawn Sperrazza

Dr. Ira Reed, Professor of Political Science, introduced the new members. President Patricia McGuire '74, the first honorary member to be inducted by the Chapter, congratulated the students, and spoke of the influence that Dr. Duke had on her as a political science student at Trinity. Dr. Duke reflected on her career, and emphasized the importance of integrity and commitment.