BATESVILLE, Arkansas –Two Lyon College students have been recognized by Alpha Lambda Delta international honor society for their academic achievement, leadership and service.
Brooklyn Penn, a biology major from Smithville, received a $1,000 Jo Anne J. Trow Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year. Suzanna Bates of Batesville, a 2026 Lyon graduate, received a $2,000 Dr. Margaret Cuninggim Graduate Fellowship.
“We are very proud of Brooklyn and Suzanna and the accomplishments they have achieved through their hard work, leadership and service,” said Dr. Wu Qu, assistant professor of history and adviser for Lyon College’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter. “These awards recognize not only their academic success but also their commitment to serving others and making a difference in their communities.”
Penn serves as a supplemental instructor for Spanish, participates in chemistry pharmaceutical research and is an Honors Fellow who mentors incoming freshmen.
“Alpha Lambda Delta has given me a community both at my college and nationally,” Penn said. “It opened up doors for me to serve my town and surrounding communities and give back.”
The Jo Anne J. Trow scholarships are awarded annually to Alpha Lambda Delta members from an international pool of applicants. Fifty scholarships are awarded each year, with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $6,000.
Selection is based on academic achievement, including maintaining a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, participation in Alpha Lambda Delta activities, campus and community service, and responses to essay questions.
The Trow Scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Jo Anne J. Trow, a former vice president for student services at Oregon State University and former Alpha Lambda Delta president.
Bates, who was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta in 2023, studied psychology and Spanish at Lyon and served as vice president of the college’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter. She graduated from Lyon in 2026 and will pursue a master’s degree in social work at Arkansas State University.
While at Lyon, Bates volunteered with the Ozark Foothills Literacy Program as an English as a second language instructor, interned with Evolve Therapy Solutions and served as president of the Spanish Club for four years.
“My long-term goal is to eventually own my own practice where I can offer individual therapy,” Bates said. “After my master’s program, I want to work in social work, specifically within the medical field.”
Alpha Lambda Delta awards 29 graduate fellowships annually to members from an international pool of applicants. Fellowship awards range from $2,000 to $7,000 and help offset the cost of graduate or professional studies.
The Dr. Margaret Cuninggim Graduate Fellowship honors Cuninggim, who was active in Alpha Lambda Delta beginning in 1972 and served as a district adviser, editor of The Flame and archivist. She also served as dean of student services at Vanderbilt University before retiring to Florida.
Founded in 1924, Alpha Lambda Delta recognizes students for academic success during their first year of college. The organization has more than 1.4 million lifetime members and has established more than 400 chapters. It inducts approximately 22,000 members annually.
Alpha Lambda Delta’s mission is to encourage academic achievement, promote continued learning and help students develop meaningful goals for their roles in society.
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About Lyon College
Lyon College, a private, liberal arts institution founded in 1872, is the oldest college in the state with its original charter. Ranked by US News & World Report as a 2024 “Best College,” Lyon currently enrolls 781 students from more than 33 states and 14 countries. Students can tailor their education, selecting from 32 majors, as well as pre-professional, individualized options and select graduate programs. Learn more at lyon.edu.