The vision and purpose of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society is to change the perception of students with disabilities by recognizing them for their academic accomplishments.

The Alpha Psi Chapter of DAPi at the University of Delaware hosted its fourth initiation ceremony on Saturday, March 23, during which 11 new members were welcomed into the society. The ceremony was a celebration of diversity on the University’s campus. Becoming a member of Delta Alpha Pi provides opportunities for students to strive for academic excellence and to embrace diversity

The ceremony included the announcement of the 2019 Kevin Miner Scholarship Award recipients. Colby Atkinson and Julia LiPuma were honored for their resilience and commitment to advocacy, education and service. Both award recipients have committed their skills and their time to graciously giving back to the UD community.

The Kevin Miner Scholarship Award was created in honor of its namesake, a Delta Alpha Pi member who passed away in 2015. The award is presented to students with disabilities, who embody the values of leadership, advocacy and pride in education while also exemplifying Kevin’s characteristics of optimism, strength, and a commitment to disability issues. Students are nominated for this award by UD faculty and staff or through self-nomination.

“We feel honored that there is a scholarship in Kevin’s memory that goes to a student that demonstrates some of Kevin’s best qualities,” said Carol Miner, Kevin’s mother.

Delta Alpha Pi, nicknamed DAPi, part of UD’s Office of Disability Support Services. DAPi is an international honor society that recognizes students with disabilities who excel academically. Members the honor society are a diverse group of individuals with various majors, interests, and talents. All members of DAPi must be registered with the Office of Disability Support Services. Undergraduate students with a 3.1 grade point average (GPA) and at least 24 credit hours and graduate students with a 3.3 GPA and at least 18 credit hours are eligible for membership.

Speakers at the event encouraged members of the honor society to continue their pursuit of academic success, and to strive for advocacy and education on campus and in their community. Outgoing DAPi president Hannah Roberts shared how building a community of high-achieving students shaped her experience at UD. Cara Metcalfe, a UD alum and now UD employee, recalled how the Office of Disability Support Services supported her to get through graduation and prepared her for the working world.

José-Luis Riera, vice president for student life, reminded students to embrace their complete stories and that stereotypes are not problematic because they are correct or incorrect but rather because they are “incomplete.”  Elizabeth Reed, interim director of the Office of Disability Support Services, said that “celebrating the talents and skills of these successful students changes the perceptions of disability” and reminded students that the honor society “facilitates skills in leadership, advocacy, and education for the members.”

Carol Henderson, vice provost for diversity, reminded DAPi honorees and audience members to embrace their possibilities with a quote from author Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

To learn more about Delta Alpha Pi or donate to the Kevin Miner Scholarship Award, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services at (302) 831-4643 or udel.edu/dss.