OT Honor Society 2018 Induction

In a brief, but important ceremony last Thursday afternoon, 16 students from the Master of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Class of 2019 were inducted into Pi Theta Epsilon Delta Mu chapter, the national honor society for Occupational Therapy (OT) students. This was the fourth induction ceremony for the University’s chapter, recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies, and a program of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Faculty from across programs came to watch and celebrate with the inductees as they pledged their new society. 

Fern Silverman, EdD, OTR/L, assistant director of the Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD), addressed the inductees about how setting goals starts with ambition and how that ambition leads to achievement. She noted the students being inducted are full of ambition and they have already been quite successful. She concluded with a reminder to take advantage of all possibilities that come their way. “Remember that leadership belongs to those that take it,” she said.

The name Pi Theta Epsilon literally translates to advancement in Occupational Therapy. Pi is the first letter for the Greek word for advancement, Theta is the first letter for the Greek word for therapeutic, and Epsilon is the first letter for the Greek word Occupation. The purpose of the honor society is to recognize and encourage scholastic excellence in OT students, to contribute to the advancement of the OT, and to provide a vehicle for professional and entry-level students enrolled in accredited programs in OT. 

As each student received their certificate, they were also handed a candle to represent the light of knowledge, and as new members of Pi Theta Epsilon, they were asked to carry the light as occupational therapists. After reciting the pledge in unison, the candles were blown out as a seal to the pledge. 

To wrap up the ceremony, Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD, interim dean of the University’s College of Education and Rehabilitation congratulated each student and acknowledged their hard work.