Honor Society Recognizes Transfer Students

Tau Sigma National Honor Society, an academic honor society for transfer students, was formally installed on campus and inducted 93 members at its inaugural ceremony Sunday, April 19, in the Eugene McDermott Library McDermott Suite.

Tau Sigma recognizes and promotes the academic excellence and involvement of its members. Membership is granted to students who have transferred into the University and earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average during their first semester.

According to Yolandé Porter, program coordinator for Transfer Student Services, research shows that more than half of students in four-year institutions don’t begin there.

“At UT Dallas, transfer students make up well over half our population, Porter said. “We hope to provide an opportunity for them to build a sense of community, to make connections by getting involved, and to enhance their visibility and reputation. We feel establishing a Tau Sigma National Honor Society chapter on campus will help do just that.”

In fall 2008, the University admitted its largest transfer cohort ever — 1,595 students.

Along those lines, initiatives like the Comet Connection program were created specifically for students who begin at community college and know they would like to complete their degrees at UT Dallas.

Through that program, transfer students lock in UT Dallas tuition at today’s rates. The University has Comet Connection partnerships with all 50 public community colleges in Texas, as well as with the two private community colleges in the state.

Other inductees included five honorary members who were invited to join due to their outstanding contributions to the field of education.