13 Seniors and a Faculty Member Inducted Into Cum Laude Society

On Tuesday, April 16, 13 seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society during a special ceremony. To be considered for induction as a senior, students had to be in the top fifth of their class and have an honorable overall record. The purpose of the society is to recognize academic excellence. Its motto is "Areté, Diké, and Timé — Excellence, Justice and Honor.” 

 

Areté includes the concept of excellence in the moral sense and is not limited to the ideal of superiority and scholarship, nor does it involve the endeavor of competing primarily for academic goals. Diké includes the concept of what is suitable and appropriate, as well as just. Timé includes the concept of dignity and truth, as well as honor.

 

Senior inductees were selected for their hard work and significant accomplishments at the Academy in pursuit of scholarship and excellence. Acceptance of the honor of membership in this Society comes with the responsibility to make some contribution to the ongoing search for greater understanding of humans and society.  

 

Congratulations to our Spring 2024 Cum Laude inductees - Lauren DiMenna ’24, Gia Hilal ’24, Emma Kehres ’24, Jakob Kavcic ’24, Hailey Kulawiak ’24, James Lawless ’24, Grace Madden ’24, Anthony Marino ’24, Kelsey O’Toole ’24, Jillian Robida ’24, Maddie Sammut ’24, Jonas Tessman ’24 and Connor Varmecky ’24. 

 

Additionally, faculty member Dr. Jeff Vaughan was inducted in recognition of his commitment to scholarship, honor and service and his modeling of lifelong learning.

 

After the induction, guests were treated to remarks from Joseph Cistone, D. Min. ’83. Dr. Cistone serves as the chief executive officer of IPM, International Partners in Mission. In this role, he provides the strategic vision, leadership and supervision of all activities, programs and staff of this multifaith, international, non-governmental organization with offices in El Salvador, India, Italy, Kenya, Nepal and the USA. Joe began his work with IPM in June of 2001 and the organization has quintupled in size during Joe’s tenure, impacting the lives of more than 100,000 people annually. Joe is also the proud father of JJ Cistone ’26.

During his talk, Dr. Cistone congratulated the inductees for being recognized for living the Cum Laude principles of "Areté, Diké, and Timé — Excellence, Justice and Honor” in their daily life, and for living the Gilmour mission of merging the heart and mind through their commitment to these tenets. He cited examples of how these tenets are lived out in three of IPM’s programs - in El Salvador, Kenya and India, and shared that there is a special dignity found in standing up for truth, honor and justice. He challenged the inductees to continue to set an example in the way they live their lives. 

Click here to see photos from the event.