More than 80 sets of winter clothing items collected by Niagara University students were delivered today to Harry F. Abate Elementary School in Niagara Falls.
The hats, gloves and scarves were collected by members of NU’s Alpha Alpha Beta chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education.
Most of the items were gathered during the Nov. 10 induction of new Alpha Alpha Beta members. Collection bins were also stationed throughout Niagara University’s Academic Complex during the last month.
Niagara University established a Kappa Delta Pi chapter in 2000. Any graduate or doctoral student possessing at least a 3.85 GPA and 12 completed credit hours is invited to apply for induction.
Organized to recognize excellence in education, Kappa Delta Pi elects those to membership who exhibit the ideals of scholarship, high personal standards, and promise in teaching and allied professions. It encourages improvement, distinction in achievement, and contributions to education.
Dr. R. Michael Smith, associate professor of education and chapter counselor, holds one of his classes at Abate, which is part of the Niagara Falls City School District. A December 2013 report from the John R. Oishei Foundation showed that 44 percent of Niagara Falls’ population is either living in poverty or struggling financially and at risk of slipping below the poverty line.