National honor society elects C-N professor to board

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society announced that Carson-Newman University’s Dr. Kip Wheeler was re-elected to its board of directors. Wheeler, who serves as associate professor of English and sponsor of C-N’s Alpha Chi chapter, was one of four faculty in the country to be named and will serve a second four-year term as an at-large Council member.

Alpha Chi is led by a 22-member elected board called the National Council. The Council serves as the planning and executive arm of the Society.

Wheeler was championed by the national organization for “his experience in academia and strong commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to the National Council.” He received his undergraduate and master’s degree from West Texas A&M University before earning his doctorate from University of Oregon.

“Dr. Wheeler continues to lead the Carson-Newman chapter of Alpha Chi with exemplary leadership,” said Dr. Jeremy J. Buckner, the University’s provost. “He is committed to academic excellence and student achievement. It comes as no surprise to me that he has been recognized several times by the National Alpha Chi organization for his dedication and quality of service. Dr. Wheeler is one of our best faculty members, a creative pedagogue and beloved colleague.” 

The news comes on the heels of Carson-Newman’s success at Alpha Chi Honor Society’s national convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the spring. Student Helen Donahue won a $500 prize in the “Region III” category for best student paper in the southeastern United States, and student Derek Driskill won the $100 “Clark Youngblood Prize for work in Philosophy and Religion.” 

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society invites membership to juniors, seniors, and graduate students from all disciplines in the top ten percent of their classes at its member institutions. Chartered on more than 300 campuses nationwide, chapters induct approximately 10,000 students annually. Since the Society’s founding in 1922, Alpha Chi members, charged with upholding the tenets of Truth and Character, have dedicated themselves to “making scholarship effective for good.” Alpha Chi is a certified member in good standing of the Association of College Honor Societies.