Elizabethtown College recently hosted its seventh annual Momentum Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony and celebration of its senior class on March 25. The Momentum program provides first-generation and Pell-eligible students with resources and support to ease the college transition process. View photos from the event.
At the ceremony, 19 Etown students, along with three faculty and staff members, were inducted into Tri-Alpha, or Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honor society for first-generation college students started at Moravian University in 2018.
Induction into Tri-Alpha serves as an acknowledgment and recognition of the hard work put in by students to overcome unique challenges in adjusting to academics, work, and social life, particularly challenges that arise from being the first in their family to obtain a higher-education degree.
“I’m proud of myself and all my fellow inductees for accomplishing this achievement,” Psychology major and Tri-Alpha Inductee Julie Brelsford ’26 said. “Tri-Alpha recognizes the hard work we all put in to succeed academically as first-generation students.”
At the event, five speakers talked to the group about their journey with the program. Speakers included Momentum Program Director Leda Werner, Momentum alumnus Luke Mackey ’17, MPP’18, Tri-Alpha President and Psychology major Abbie Machmer ’25, Physics Education major Alexa Scheetz ’25, and Political Science major Nick Wiley ’25.
“Momentum was one of the most formative parts of my time at Etown,” Machmer said. “It gave me a community that supported me and helped me grow into a mentor and leader, and I’ve come to wear the title of first-generation with pride. I’m so grateful to be graduating alongside such inspiring people who share similar experiences as first-generation students.”
Learn more about the Momentum Program at Elizabethtown College.
