Ceremony for Induction
OF MEMBERS INTO A CHAPTER
significant occasion in the academic life of the school. The
presence of the heads of various school constituencies, such as
the Alumni Association, the Parents Club and the Board of
Trustees, lend prestige to the ceremony. The presence of parents
and friends of the initiates as well as upper level students can
provide an audience. You may also consider an academic procession
of the faculty members as well as any current student members.
Many chapters find the provision for a reception after the
ceremony an excellent opportunity for faculty, student members and
families to congratulate the initiates in a congenial setting. To
induct Student Members into a Chapter, the officers may follow the
model below, or they are welcome to develop their own. However,
the ceremony should include the elements below, which appear in
Italics.
rendered. The Head of School or Principal delivers greetings and
opening remarks. Distinguished guests are introduced.
forward. The Student Members stand before the President and
Secretary while the Secretary explains the background and purpose
of the Society, its ideals, and its motto.
learning and sound scholarship in secondary schools. The Society
was founded in 1906 to recognize scholastic achievement of seniors
in secondary schools. Chapters may be established in public
schools and incorporated secondary schools that are not conducted
for financial gain.
there is one, may be read in whole or in part.
distinguished record you have made at (name of school) has won for
you membership in the Cum Laude Society. This Society is a
fellowship of scholars whose purpose is to recognize excellence in
academic work. As you pursue your education, it is our hope that
you will accept the honor of membership in this Society as a
responsibility to make some contribution to the on-going search
for greater understanding of the world in which we live.
Diké, Timé - Excellence, Justice, Honor.
Areté includes the concept of excellence in the moral sense
and is not limited to the ideal of superiority and scholarship,
nor does it involve the endeavor of competing primarily for
academic goals. Diké includes the concept of what is
suitable and appropriate, as well as just. Timé includes
the concept of dignity and truth, as well as honor.
the Cum Laude Society, by the authority of the Society duly
granted, I now present to you these certificates of
membership.
Members come forward to receive the certificate of membership from
the President and the Society pin from the Secretary as authorized
by the constitution of the Society. If both seniors and juniors
are being initiated, it is suggested that seniors be recognized
first, followed by the juniors. The President can then introduce
Student Members who have been previously initiated.
own words, instead of reading the set form of the above words. If
it is deemed helpful, the initiation may be preceded or followed
by an appropriate address, but this address should not take the
place of the charge of the President. The Head of School or
Superintendent/Principal (headmaster/headmistress) may introduce a
speaker or principal and the same administrator also may close the
ceremony. A benediction may also be offered.
which are invited a guest speaker, newly elected students and
their parents, faculty and honorary members. Various portions of
the above ceremony are used.
graduation, the Cum Laude initiation is made a part of that
occasion. Often the names of electees are so indicated in the
printed program. In some schools where caps and gowns are worn for
graduation, the Cum Laude students wear gold-colored caps instead
of the usual white or black caps, or wear a gold arm band to
identify them as Cum Laude members. Even if the Cum Laude
initiation is a separate ceremony, Cum Laude Student Members can
be recognized at graduation.
