April 16, 2025
East Texas Baptist University celebrated a historic milestone with the installation of the Lambda Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society, within the Department of Music and Theatre Arts. The charter installation and induction ceremony took place on Monday, April 7, in Mabee Recital Hall in the Jenna Guest Music Building.
The Lambda Iota Chapter was officially authorized by Regent James C. Scott, Past President of Pi Kappa Lambda (2002–2006), of the Alpha Alpha Chapter at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
Founded in 1918 at Northwestern University, Pi Kappa Lambda is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor societies, devoted to the promotion of scholarly inquiry and artistic achievement in the field of music. Since its admission to the Association of College Honor Societies in 1940, Pi Kappa Lambda has remained the only music honor society recognized by the ACHS, with nearly 200 active chapters across the country and over 64,000 members initiated in its history.
The society invites into membership only those students and faculty who demonstrate the highest levels of excellence in musicianship and scholarship. At ETBU, candidates for student membership must be juniors ranking in the top 10 percent of their class or seniors ranking in the top 20 percent. Nomination and election are conducted by faculty members of the local chapter and reflect standards of academic excellence, musical artistry, and Christian leadership.
Inducted into the Lambda Iota Chapter’s Inaugural Class were:
Student Members:
Heather Auvil, Senior
Caden Perkins, Senior
Jackson Darby, Junior
Madison Queen, Junior
Faculty Members:
Dr. Douglas Lockard, Dean, School of Communication and Performing Arts
Dr. Patrick Antinone, Director of Choral Activities, Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Nathan Phillips, Chair, Department of Music and Theatre Arts, Director of Bands, Assistant Professor of Music
The founding officers of the new chapter are Co-Presidents Dr. Patrick Antinone and Judith Shelton, Vice President Dr. Trek Boyland, and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Lynette Vincent. The newest society members were inducted by current members and ETBU faculty Dr. Boyland and Mrs. Shelton.
“This is a meaningful and affirming moment for our students and faculty,” said Dr. Lockard shared. “The installation of Pi Kappa Lambda on our campus highlights the extraordinary talent and academic excellence within our program and reinforces our commitment to Christ-centered artistic and scholarly pursuits.”
East Texas Baptist University proudly welcomes the Lambda Iota Chapter into its academic community and anticipates the ongoing impact this honor society will have in shaping Christian servant-leaders in the musical arts.