Contributed Photo Students at Richmond Community College have an opportunity to develop their leadership potential in The National Society of Leadership and Success. The charter organization held its first induction ceremony Thursday. Rockingham residents attending the induction ceremony are (seated, l to r) Edra Wiley, Rebecca Park, Sandra Wright, Amber Truett, Shari Stancil, Alice Locklear and Shonte Morgan. (Standing) Leroy Collins, Tenasha Goins, Hunter Burns, Gregory Terry, Matthew Quick, Andra Douglas and Thomas McDonald.

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Contributed Photo The National Society of Leadership and Success inducted 43 new members. Residents of Cordova, Ellerbe and Hamlet named to the national organization are (seated, l to r) Pauline Williams, Jessica Campbell, Nanette Patterson and Randy Wise. (Standing) Roland Buie and James Little.

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The Sigma Alpha Pi chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success at Richmond Community College held its first induction ceremony Thursday night at the Cole Auditorium. The NSLS encourages community action, volunteerism, personal growth and strong leadership from its chapters and members around the world.

“This is RCC’s first year of participation,” said NSLS Adviser Daphne Stancil. “We have 43 members being inducted. Of those members, 20 are ‘National Excellence in Leadership Award’ recipients, which means they doubled the membership requirements and performed at least five hours of community service. A significant number of inductees have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher.”

Keynote speaker for the event was Richmond County Sheriff James Clemmons Jr. He talked about leadership, scholarship, community service and character. He explained how each small decision students make forms their character and their leadership abilities. He encouraged them to develop worthy goals so their leadership skills are not wasted.

Adviser John Kester said students had performed more than 160 hours of community service with 17 agencies, and many were continuing to volunteer. Students also meet in Success Networking Teams to discuss their goals, to identify the issues they are facing and to discuss ways to overcome any obstacles they may encounter.

The society awarded honorary membership to Clemmons and to RCC President Dale McInnis and RCC Vice President for Student Services Saundra Richardson. They presented an Excellence in Teaching Award to instructors Lee Ballenger and Traci Etheridge. A Lifetime Achievement Award went to RCC Professor John Robich. An Excellence in Service to Students Award went to advisers Daphne Stancil and John Kester.