UNE PSI CHI Honor Society inducts 19 members for 2023-24

The University of New England’s PSI CHI Chapter, which recognizes outstanding student achievement in psychology, animal behavior, and neuroscience, is excited to announce the induction of 19 new undergraduate members.

With family and friends of the students in attendance, the induction ceremony was held on April 19 in the Harold Alfond Forum.

PSI CHI executive board members — President Gracie Ouellette (Psychology, ’24), vice President Lauryn Alley (Psychology, ’24), Treasurer Sarah Gray (Psychology, ’25), Secretary Anika Koopman (Neuroscience, ’24), and Communications Editor Grace Curley (Neuroscience, ’24) — organized the event with the help of PSI CHI faculty advisor, Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, Ph.D., associate professor and assistant academic director in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

“The opportunity to serve as the president of this chapter this year has been extremely rewarding,” Ouellette said following the ceremony. “I am so happy to have been able to help plan this ceremony to celebrate our new inductees, incoming e-board, and fellow outgoing seniors. I am also grateful for the support of all my fellow e-board members, Lauryn, Sarah, Grace, and Anika. This ceremony would not have been able to happen without them.”

In addition to honoring all new inductees, the UNE PSI CHI Chapter also celebrated its graduating seniors and the induction of the new officers for the next academic year. UNE First Lady Lynn Brandsma, Ph.D.; College of Arts and Sciences Associate Dean Amy Keirstead, Ph.D.; Michael Burman, Ph.D., academic director of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and faculty from the school joined the celebration to recognize the students’ achievements. 

Clockwise: The 2023-2024 inductees; the PSI CHI graduating Class of 2024; Class of ’24 officers pose with UNE First Lady Lynn Brandsma, Ph.D.; Jennifer Stiegler-Balfour, Ph.D., speaks to the audience; and the audience applauds the inductees.

Founded in 1929 during the International Congress of Psychology, PSI CHI is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of both the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society. With the stated mission of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship in the science of psychology, PSI CHI has grown to become one of the largest and most successful honor societies in the world, with more than 1,000 chapters and over 1 million members.

A lifetime membership with the PSI CHI Honor Society provides students the opportunity to expand their network of like-minded professionals, build their resumes, and participate in leadership opportunities at their school chapters and the global organization. It also allows students to apply for PSI CHI awards, grants, and scholarships. Graduating PSI CHI members will be wearing a silver and blue cord or stole at the UNE 2024 Commencement ceremony in May.

“The induction ceremony was such a great experience; is evident that this amazing chapter truly embodies the spirit of PSI CHI,” remarked incoming vice president Magdalene Meek (Psychology, ’25). “I feel so privileged to not only be a part of this incredibly kind and dedicated community but to also have had the opportunity to commence my PSI CHI journey in such a memorable way. I am both honored and excited to be serving as a PSI CHI officer next year and hope to continue the amazing work of this year's e-board members.”

Inductees for the 2023-2024 academic year:

Ashley Araneo, Nadezhda Bertuch, Megan Burns, Michaela Chapman, Emma Clark, Callyn Eon, Maya Galpern, Kayleigh Gilbert, Olivia Hand, Olivia Hebert, Keely Kasputis, Ruby McCall, Magdalene Meek, Brooklynn Merrill, Grace Mueller, Leah Palinkas, Samantha Peterson, Emilee Richards, and Eden Sidman.

Officers inducted for the 2023-2024 academic year:

Sarah Gray (president), Magdalene Meek (vice president), Bridget Lynch (treasurer), Keely Kasputis (secretary), and Megan Burns (communications editor).