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Pictured, from left, are Dhanunjay Kumar Donipudi, Ute Chamberlin, Qi Qi, Linda Gehlin Roberts and Amy Crosby. Not pictured are Maria Bessmertnaya, Jeff Hancks and Joel Viyegbe.
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Phi Beta Delta at WIU Inducts Eight New Members

April 21, 2017

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MACOMB, IL - The Eta Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Delta inducted eight new members during its ninth ceremony Monday, April 10.

The purpose of the Eta Epsilon chapter is to recognize and encourage high professional, intellectual, academic and personal achievements in the field of international education. Applications are accepted year round, and an induction ceremony is held each spring.

Phi Beta Delta, founded at California State University, Long Beach in 1986, was established as an organization in 1987, with 38 chartered chapters, many of which had existed for a considerable time previously at the local level. It is the first honor society dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement in international education.

This year's inductees are:

• Maria Bessmertnaya, a junior from Russia, studying accounting and a member of the tennis team. She is a tutor for the athletic department and a member of the Centennial Honors College.

• Ute E. Chamberlin is an associate professor in the WIU Department of History. Born in Germany, she has studied in England, Spain, and as an international student in Arizona. She is about to lead her third Study Abroad course in Germany.

• Amy Crosby is a graduate student in the College Student Personnel program who works in the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. She has lived in London and has experiences in France, Costa Rica and various other venues.

• Dhanunjay Kumar Donipudi is a graduate student in Engineering Technology Leadership (ETL) and is from India. At WIU, he has been an international orientation leader, involved with the Indian Student Organization, and works as a teaching support assistant in the ETL department.

• Jeff Hancks is the interim director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. He has four separate experiences living in Denmark, the most recent was during the 2015-16 academic year, when he and his family spent the year with him as a guest lecturer on American politics and literature.

• Qi Qi is the coordinator of international relations for the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach. She serves as the liaison between the center and international partners in China, as well as assists with the development and implementation of the strategic recruitment plan for students from China.

• Linda Gehlin Roberts is a member of the Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) staff. Although she has taught in the program for more than 26 years, she began her career teaching at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. In addition, she has had experiences in Spain, Mexico, the UAE and Japan.

• Joel Viyegbe was born in Benin, but is now a U.S. citizen and a senior in mechanical engineering. He has an impressive number of volunteer activities including Habitat for Humanity, helping to raise funds for the Glenview Middle School for activities and environmental clean up of the Mississippi River.

For more information on the chapter, visit bit.ly/1nDk5fZ.





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