Psi-Chi and Psychology Club Induction

Fall 2010

On the evening of Wednesday, November 3rd, the UMKC chapter of Psi Chi and the Psychology Club had their Fall induction ceremony, welcoming 36 new members.

Psi Chi: Jennifer Cosby, Kaelene Curry, Danielle Fera, Danthea Fernandez, Gregory Jacobs, Jhankar Kashyap, Allison Koerperich, Thao Nguyen, Karly Schleicher, Abby Sharp, Kyia Sonnier, Bethany Vroom, Britney Waterworth, and Marsha Wood.
Psychology Club: Malorie Champlin, Taneshia Cook, Chrissy Crocker, Kristen Epping, Zachary Hausner, Salvador Hernandez, Jhankar Kashyap, Brooke McCoy, Josh Munyan, Jedidiah Phipps, Katherine Polder, Rachel Regan, Quristion Reliford, Patrick Schmidt, Mallory Sheeran, Ra Nita Simmons, Anna Stelmach, Becca Sterling, Evelyn Welk, Nekisha Wheeler, Brandon Wilson, and William Yoder.

New members in attendance recited the Psi Chi ‘Oath of Membership’ and participated in a candle lighting ceremony. We will be holding another induction ceremony, and accepting applications for both organizations, in the Spring semester.
Psi Chi is the national honor society in Psychology. Membership in Psi Chi is for life and you’ll enjoy benefits such as scholarship programs, research competitions, reduced dues for professional organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS), and getting to know fellow psychology majors here on campus at UMKC. Please visit our web site for information about the eligibility requirements.

If you’d like to be involved in a student organization but aren’t yet eligible for Psi Chi, please consider joining he Psychology Club! Psychology Club is the sister organization to Psi Chi and is open to any students who are interested in psychology—there are no membership fees and no GPA requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact the Psi Chi and Psychology Club officers by email at umkcpsichi@umkc.edu, or the faculty advisor, Dr. Bennett, by email at bennettkk@umkc.edu.

Heartland Health Network (HHN) Event Update

A Community Health Fair which drew over 1000 people to the campus of the Calvary Temple Baptist Church on Saturday, October 30th for fitness, fun, and healthy food was the “kick-off” event for the Heartland Health Network (HHN). In lieu of typical unhealthy carnival fare, healthy food options such as fresh fruits & veggies, yogurt with fresh berries were provided. Chancellor Leo Morton, Dean Karen Vorst, Senator Clair McCaskill and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver were on hand to offer words of welcome, congratulations and support. Fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner
spoke to the group about the benefits of fitness and nutrition and enticed the group to participate in a well choreographed exercise routine. Over 15 community health serving organizations distributed vital health information and conducted health screening.


HHN is funded by a 1 million dollar NIH grant awarded to Professor Kathy Goggin in the Department of Psychology (see blog posting dated Tuesday, October 26, 2010). Organizers from HHN specifically hoped to reach African American community with their message of healthy lifestyles and demonstrate the power of collaborations between universities and community partners. Based on comments of attendees, it seems like that goal was achieved.

“The day was a perfect blend of celebration and cooperation among partners working toward a common goal. For too long, the African American community has experienced significant health disparities. Now, at the community level, we are bringing together current health research, health care and health education.” ~ Dr. Leo Morton, Chancellor, University of Missouri – Kansas City


“The sea of people of all ages, eating fresh fruit and having fun with physical activity was confirmation of something that we have known all along. Our vision of a healthier community can be realized as we forge strong partnerships between gatekeepers and stakeholders.”
~ Rev. Eric D. Williams, Pastor- Calvary Temple Baptist Church & Executive Director – Calvary Community Outreach Network