June 4, 2021

SVSU students honored for foreign language achievements

Saginaw Valley State University celebrated the achievements of several students by inducting them into two foreign language honor societies. The virtual induction ceremonies were held April 23. 

“Our new members in Alpha Mu Gamma-Theta Omicron and Sigma Delta Pi-Omega Kappa Chapters at SVSU have demonstrated excellence in their academic achievements and remarkable interest not only in learning a language and improving their language skills, but in understanding its cultural practices and perspectives, which provides them with a rich experience to share with others beyond the classroom,” said Maribel Colorado-Garcia, SVSU assistant professor of Spanish. 

Membership in both societies is by invitation. 

Seven students at were welcomed into Alpha Mu Gamma-Theta Omicron chapter on April 23.  

The students are: 

• Karah Brown, an accounting major from Elsie, Mich., was honored for her achievement in Spanish 
• Jeffrey Gilbert, a history major from Saginaw, was recognized for achievement in German 
• Madison King, of Au Gres, is majoring in medical laboratory science and was honored for excellence in Spanish 
• Scott Rutherford, of Freeland, has a French major 
• Alaina Short, of Flushing, is majoring in international studies and was honored for achievement in Japanese 
• Brendan Trenkle, a literature major from Byron, was recognized for excellence in French 
• Lily Zamora, a creative writing major from Saginaw, was honored for achievements in Spanish   

Alpha Mu Gamma is the first and largest national collegiate foreign language honor society of the United States. Its primary purpose is to honor students for outstanding achievements during their first year of foreign language study in college. The Theta Omicron chapter was chartered in 1976. Since then, more than 800 student members and 40 faculty members have been inducted into SVSU’s chapter. 

Members of AMG’s executive board for 2020-2021 also attended and participated in the ceremony. They include Jessica Fehrman, president, a history major from Saginaw; Samantha Endres, officer, an elementary education major from Brighton; and Nicole Rhein, officer, a mathematics major from Lenox, Mich. 

Three students were inducted into Sigma Delta Pi - Omega Kappa chapter, the national collegiate Hispanic Honor Society that recognizes and supports students and educators of the Spanish language and culture. They are: 

• Harley Mordarski, a Spanish major from Madison Heights 
• Nicole Rhein, a mathematics major from Lenox, Mich. 
• Hayley Rivera of Saginaw, a social work major