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Pictured are the most recent inductees into Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for International scholars. In the front row, from left, are Rodney Fink, a charter member of PBD and guest speaker, Omotola Ashafa and Jo Davis. In the back row, from left, are Harrison Heilman, Jennifer McNabb, Christie Carmack, Gary Schmidt and Paula Rhodes. Not pictured are Richard Carter and Levor Henry.
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Nine Inducted into Phi Beta Delta at WIU

April 18, 2014

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MACOMB, IL - The Eta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Delta inducted nine new members during its sixth ceremony Monday, April 7.

The purpose of the Eta Epsilon chapter is to recognize and encourage high professional, intellectual, academic and personal achievements in the field of international education. Applications are accepted year round, and an induction ceremony is held in the spring.

Phi Beta Delta, founded at California State University, Long Beach in 1986, was established as an organization in 1987 with 38 chartered chapters, many of which had existed for a considerable time previously at the local level. It is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.

This year's inductees are:

• Omotola Ashafa, of Nigeria, is a graduate student in the WIU Department of Health Sciences. She plans to receive her Master of Science degree in Public Health Education and Promotion in December 2014. She is a member of the WIU International Friendship Club, the president of the African Student Association (ASA) and is a graduate assistant in the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach.

• Christie Carmack is the assistant director of marketing and international relations in the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. She first started working with international embassies, international strategic planning and international students through an Affirmative Action Internship with school Director Rick Carter. Prior to her work in international education, Christie worked in various positions in the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS).

• Richard Carter is the executive director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. His current position requires recruitment travel on behalf of the Center for International Studies and the Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) Program, which he feels has helped this institution grow a more diverse international population.

• Jo Davis is the grants and contracts administrator in the Office of Global Education. She has worked with students from Mexico, Bolivia, Canada, France, Sweden, Russia and Brazil. The various grants with which she worked were aimed at students, administration, faculty and staff. She particularly worked with programming events and setting up opportunities for extended communication and learning.

• Harrison Heilman is a graduate student in the WIU Department of Political Science in the area of public administration. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines for two years, teaching English and working on sustainable fishing and farming practices. Prior to joining the Peace Corps, Harrison hosted two international students during high school and volunteered with immigrant populations while in college, majoring in political science, Spanish and international studies.

• Levor Henry, a native of Antigua, is a graduate student in the WIU Department of Communication. He serves as a teaching assistant in the department and hopes to receive his Ph.D. and return to WIU to teach.

• Associate Professor Jennifer McNabb works in the WIU Department of History and is the associate director of the Centennial Honors College. McNabb specializes in English history, specifically marriage in 16th and 17th England. In addition, she led the inaugural "WIU in Belfast" education abroad group in 2012. Among her many duties on behalf of the University, she serves on the Fulbright Committee, as well as being the adviser for the Golden Key International Honor Society.

• Paula Rhodes retired from the WIU Office of Admissions in 2009. Since 2001, Rhodes has had a number of students through the International Neighbors Program. Her objective has been to provide each of the students with a variety of American experiences.

• Professor Gary Schmidt is the chair of the department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and has been a professor of German at WIU since 2012. He speaks German at a near-native level and speaks Spanish and French fluently. Since his arrival, he has been a great contributor to internationalizing the WIU campus. In 2001 and 2002, Schmidt took students to Germany and Austria as a Study Abroad faculty member.

More information about membership can be found at
http://www.wiu.edu/international_studies/phi_beta_delta/Membership.php

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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