Lenoir-Rhyne hosts second annual Tri-Alpha induction ceremony

Lenoir-Rhyne University celebrated its second annual induction into the Kappa Eta chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), the national honor society for first-generation college students. Family, friends, students, faculty and staff gathered in Grace Chapel to honor the achievements of this year’s inductees.

“I am honored to be a part of Tri-Alpha as a co-advisor and member,” said Teena Brooks, M.A. ’17, director of BEAR Central. “I am proud to see the Lenoir-Rhyne community come together to celebrate what it means to be first-generation. Each of us has a unique story, and our diversity is what makes this community so powerful. Tri-Alpha is a celebration of our resilience, legacy and courageous decision to be first.”

Jake Graffagnino, M.A., coordinator of peer learning assistance and Tri-Alpha co-advisor, reflected on the continued growth of the society. “With this being our second year of having Tri-Alpha on campus, it is fantastic to have more first-generation students, faculty and staff join. It is our continued goal to bring together and support this group as we recognize them for what they have and will continue to accomplish.”

Founded to recognize and support first-generation students, Tri-Alpha welcomes full-time and part-time students who have completed at least 30 semester hours with a minimum 3.2 GPA. Membership provides opportunities for networking, leadership and mentorship while celebrating the resilience and accomplishments of first-generation students.

“What we honor tonight at this induction ceremony is that powerful belief that those who advance themselves and are willing to be first—to try, to succeed and to achieve things that others in their families and networks have never achieved before—are people who are pioneers, willing to be bold, step out of their comfort zone and become leaders,” said university president Summer McGee, Ph.D. “Not only are these accomplishments momentous for you, but they also pave the way for the generations that will follow.

She added, “Here at Lenoir-Rhyne, our mantra is to shine ever brighter, and we could not be more proud of the ways in which you have shown your light on this campus and in our community.”

Building on the celebration of first-generation achievement, Harry Titus, Ed.D., vice president of student experience and dean of students at Lenoir-Rhyne, reflected on his own journey as a first-generation college student. Facing the possibility of leaving college after a difficult first semester, he found guidance and inspiration in his dean of students, who encouraged him to write down his “why” for attending college—a moment that changed the trajectory of his life.  

“I see you because I am you,” he said. “Being first can be empowering, but it can also be isolating. You are navigating systems your family has never navigated. You are learning a new language—academic language, institutional language, professional language. You’re often carrying not only your own expectations, but the hopes of your parents, grandparents, siblings and sometimes even your entire community.”  

Titus emphasized how these early experiences shaped not only his confidence, but also the leadership skills he now applies to his current role. He called those connections transformative for his academic, personal and professional life.  

“That transformation ultimately shaped my career. And now I love what I get to do. I wake up every day thinking about belonging and engagement, and student success. I think about retention not just as a metric, but as a moral commitment. Because statistics matter, but stories matter more. Your story matters.”

2026 Tri-Alpha Inductees

Undergraduate Students

• Ella Abernathy
• Dani Jaida Ansari
• Aaliah Shilyn Atwell
• Tomeca Banks
• Chloe Evelyn Crate
• Lindy Cockrell
• Isabella Daniels
• Kayleigh Farrell
• Sheyla Hernandez-Hernandez
• Madison Humphrey
• Ceanna Jones
• Logan Lacy
• Ragan Lail
• Damia Lingerfelt
• Citlalli Martinez-Guerrero
• Giovanni Caballero Mejia
• Avelyn Paulino
• Conner Peele

Graduate Students

• Katherine Marie Carrieri
• Olivia Clark
• Yolanda Dely
• Hope Gillispie
• Ataysha Harris-Bridgemohan
• Sarah Murdoch Hobbs
• Alyson Marie Kelly
• Samarian Ray
• Diego Sanjuan

Faculty and Staff

• Rebecca Alt, Ph.D.
• Jordan L. Austin, Ph.D.
• Jennifer Louise Heller, Ph.D.
• Stephanie Alexis Huitron ’15, MBA ’17  
• M. Tiffany Messer-Bass, M.A., Ed.S.
• Stephanie Marie Roberts, M.A. ’26  
• Jordan Smith, M.A.
• Harry L. Titus, Ed.D.
• Danny R. Wooten, Jr., M.A.