Epsilon Phi, a communications honor society, awarded honorary member status to three Communication Studies professors during their semi-annual Induction Ceremony in the University Union on Friday evening.

In recognition of outstanding contributions to the students and the Department of Communications, David C. Martin, Ph.D., Edith LeFebvre, Ph.D., and David Fabionar were inducted into the organization, along with 25 new student members.

“I am very honored to have been selected by you all for this wonderful award and membership and promise to be an active member of your organization,” Martin said to the group of about 50 people. With humor he admitted that, “when I was an undergraduate, I would not have been eligible to join this society.”

As the coordinator for the co-op education and internship programs, an educator and advisor, Martin routinely guides students to their first jobs as interns, and offers support and encouragement along the way. Martin reminded students “when you really are doing what you want to do, school is fun.”

Dr. LeFebvre was recognized as an enthusiastic and supportive professor whose door as well as her heart is always open to students, according to Epsilon Phi Vice-President, Aleta Carpenter. Dr. LeFebvre was attending a communications conference in Washington and was unable to attend the ceremony.

Professor David Fabionar, the director of forensics, was recognized for his commitment to Sacramento State’s award-winning debate team, in which he devotes almost every weekend to his debate team and their competitions.

“In the time that I have been on the debate team, I have seen students increase their self-confidence and self-esteem, and this is in no small part because of David’s personality and teaching style,” said incoming Epsilon Phi President Sam Ciraulo.

The $500 Epsilon Phi Fitzwater Scholarship was also awarded to member Kelly Matlock for her winning essay, “Happily Ever After: Dispelling the Cinderella Myth.”

Epsilon Phi is the Sac State chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official National Communication Honor Society of the Speech Communication Association.

Epsilon Phi’s purpose is to honor academic achievement and a commitment to the field of communication studies, as well as to identify and honor strong character, according to chapter members. Communications students must have an overall GPA of 3.0, with a minimum of 3.25 in the Communication Studies major.

“Epsilon Phi is a way to recognize people who are serious about their education and are really working hard. It’s nice to be recognized for that effort,” said Dr. Marlene von Friedericks-Fitzwater, Epsilon Phi’s founder and director.

Epislon Phi also gives back to the department through the Communication Student Consultant Program, headed by Aleta Carpenter. Through this program, students of communication studies can receive tutoring and mentoring from a fellow classmate.

Tutors are honor students who have excelled in core and concentration classes. The program currently has about 25 tutors available to help students in need of assistance.

Carpenter tries to pair students with a tutor who has done well in the same class with the same professor. “Teachers have different teaching styles. This system helps the student get the most out of the mentoring program,” said Carpenter.

Contact the Communication Studies Office in Mendocino Hall, Room 5014, if you are interested in either the mentoring program or becoming a member of Epsilon Phi.