New members inducted into criminal justice honor society

New members receive pins during the Alpha Phi Sigma induction ceremony

The ASU chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, welcomed 59 new members during its spring 2015 induction ceremony held at the Cronkite Theater. ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson spoke at the event. Thompson and ASU Police sergeant Jason Latella and ASU Police detective Carrie Brady were also inducted as honorary members.

Alpha Phi Sigma is partnering with ASU Police on a number of training activities for members. The Mesa Police Department is also hosting members of the honor society for various training exercises. It’s part of an effort by the honor society’s president to give members new experiences. The chapter recently hosted an event featuring a prosecutor and defense attorney so students could learn more about careers in criminal law.

“The goal is to put events together that can interest our students that want to go into law enforcement or want to go to law school,” says Alpha Phi Sigma president Austin Koval, a former police officer.

The induction ceremony included new members reciting the membership oath and receiving certificates and honor society pins. To qualify, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.2 GPA. Graduate students need a 3.4 GPA or higher to join.

The ASU chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma has over 300 members including 100 who are ASU Online students. Koval says the goal is to make online students feel more welcome as members of the chapter. One way is by live streaming events, including the induction ceremony. Last month’s event  featuring the prosecutor and defense attorney was live streamed and recorded for those who missed it.

“We would like to use live stream technology and bring online students into the chapter and give them the kind of experience that an in-person member gets,” Koval says.

For information about joining the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, click here. You can follow the student organization on Facebook at AlphaPhiSigmaASUchapter.