Local People

Last Updated on Monday, 29 April 2024 20:43

PennWest California student Sarah Seader has earned two of the top Alpha Lambda Delta Awards. Seader was honored on Friday, April 19 at the Alpha Lambda Delta Spring 2024 Ceremony held at the PennWest California Convocation Center.

Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is a National Honor Society for first year-Freshmen based on obtaining at least a 3.5 GPA in their first semester. ALD offers various professional development opportunities with a focus on academics, leadership, and volunteerism throughout a student’s college experience.

Seader was initiated into ALD in Spring 2022 and will be graduating a year early, in just 3 years, on May 4, 2024. She is completing two degrees: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Management along with two Certificates: Data Science and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. She has a 4.0 GPA and is heavily involved on campus. Seader served as President of her ALD chapter.

She was awarded the Maria Leonard Senior Book Award upon earning a 4.0 cumulative GPA, which is offered by the ALD Board of Directors to the chapters and is awarded to the graduating member with the highest GPA in their class.

Seader was also recognized for being named a National Alpha Lambda Delta Trow Scholarship recipient. Each year, Alpha Lambda Delta awards 50 scholarships to outstanding undergraduate ALD members across the nation.

While PennWest California (formerly California University of Pennsylvania) has had past scholarship recipients, this is the first year that a Vulcan has been awarded the top national scholarship of $6,000.

Leadership is nothing new to Seader as she currently serves as the PennWest California Student Trustee, President of her school’s DECA Chapter, Editor-In Chief of CalTimes (the school’s student newspaper), Vice President of Student Government, Vice President of Finance Club, Treasurer of the Student Honors Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Student Accounting Association, and serves as the President of the Student Association Inc (SAI) Board of Directors.

“ALD has helped me to become more outgoing, while also keeping academics at the core,” says Seader. “Many honor societies are for upperclassmen only, which limits opportunities for students to serve as leaders, participate in community service, or enhance professional development skills. The moment I received the invitation to join ALD, I immediately accepted membership to take advantage of its many benefits.”

Seader has a natural aptitude for connecting with others and wanting their voice to be heard. She consistently takes on mentorship roles and educates others through being available to answer their questions. She has already accepted a full time offer to work at PNC Financial Services in downtown Pittsburgh after graduation.