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KALAMAZOO—Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University's chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta national honor society has won a prestigious Maintaining the Flame Award in recognition of its activities during the 2011-12 academic year.

The accolade celebrates outstanding chapters that have shown continued excellence in chapter programming, communications and service. A follow-up accolade to the society's annual Order of the Torch Award, the Maintaining the Flame Award rewards exceptional chapters that are so successful they are ineligible to compete for the torch award.

Up to five Alpha Lambda Delta chapters may receive the torch award in a given year, but recipients must wait four years before they can compete for the honor again. WMU won its last torch award in 2010-11.

This year's flame award was earned under the guidance of chapter President Rachel Stegmaier, an organizational communication major from Highland, Mich., who is now enrolled in WMU's master's in communication program, and advisors Dr. Nicholas Andreadis, dean of the Lee Honors College, and Sue Oole, director of academic advising for the honors college.

Along with WMU, 10 other schools received the award for 2011-12: California University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Morningside College, North Carolina A&T State University, Ohio University, Otterbein University, and the universities of California, Los Angeles; Connecticut; Oklahoma; and Texas-Pan American.

Alpha Lambda Delta

Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society for students in their first year of college. The organization recognizes and encourages academic excellence, as well as challenges members to make meaningful contributions to society. WMU's chapter was founded in 1962 and focuses on students who are looking for opportunities to contribute to the local community by volunteering in service projects.

For more information about Alpha Lambda Delta, visit wmich.edu/honors or call Nicholas Andreadis or Sue Oole at (269) 387-3230.