President's Message
60 Years: Diamond Opportunities
The 2005-06 Academic Year marks a significant milestone in the growth and development of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society (ASL)our 60th birthday!!!! For those of you who are ASL members or members of one of our sister adult-learner organizations, I thank you for the support you have shown to ASL over the years. I trust you will continue to support the Society by attending our annual Fall meetings and creating opportunities for the establishment of new ASL chapters, as well as the further enhancement of existing ones. The other officers and I understand fully that your attendance and support are contingent upon our ability to manage the Society's affairs effectively and efficiently while advancing it as the premier adult learner honor society.
With that understanding in mind, the ASL Board Members will work hard in the upcoming months to prepare a formal celebration of our sixty years of service to be held in Los Angeles in October, 2006. We will make the greatest effort to serve continuing higher education administrators and students with an appropriate celebration that is reflective of the most effective use of our limited resources. In planning the formal program, the Board will seek the advice of many people, inside and outside the Society. I trust you will find the program appropriate and helpful to you in your professional endeavors.
As we enjoy this year of jubilation, it seems only appropriate to note briefly the nature and history of ASL. Alpha Sigma Lambda is an honor society which partners with colleges and universities to celebrate the scholarship and leadership of adult students in higher education. Its beginnings date back to the winter of 1945-46 when Dr. Rollin B. Posey, Dean of University College at Northwestern University , realized that a measure of recognition accorded adult students for their scholastic achievement could encourage them to complete their studies. As a consequence, Dr. Posey founded Alpha Sigma Lambda specifically to honor those dedicated adult students who accomplish academic excellence while managing competing responsibilities of home and work.
Today there are 323 chartered chapters throughout the United States , making ASL the largest chapter-based honor Society for adult students. The Society not only brings together outstanding students and faculty, but also offers individuals an exposure to interests other than their own. To newcomers in higher education, Alpha Sigma Lambda encourages scholarship and invites them to associate with similarly motivated students. Alpha Sigma Lambda was the first and remains the only chapter-based honor society established to honor both full- and part-time adult students who are pursuing their undergraduate degrees.
As we move forward in the 21 st Century and look forward to more birthdays and additional achievements, I recall the story of Winston Churchill greeting reporters in his yard on the occasion of his 87th birthday. Said one young eager journalist, I hope to again wish you well on your one hundredth birthday. The Old Man eyed the young newsman sternly and remarked, I expect you might do ityou look healthy enough.
The Society, too, enjoys good health. Your continuing support will help to ensure our ability to shape the future of American higher education nationally and regionally. Please join us for what promises to be an outstanding celebration as well as one of those treasured opportunities for interaction with other members of the ASL family.
Sincerely,
Raymond W. Campbell, Ph.D.
President