President Gregory Geoffroy stressed the importance of making connections with other universities at the global level in a keynote speech at the induction ceremony of the Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Delta, an international honor society

Fourteen new members were inducted into the organization and about 40 people attended the event, which began at 4 p.m. Monday in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.

The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Becoming the Best: The International Component.” Geoffroy outlined Iowa State’s goal to become one of the most internationally connected land grant universities in the nation.

He said Iowa State must encourage student exchanges to other countries so students can interact with international students and share personal overseas experiences.

“The international experiences our students have make them more marketable in the work force,” Geoffroy said.

He also compared people from other cultures with Americans.

“Our only differences are in customs and cultures,” he said. “We, as people, are very much the same.”

Ten years ago, Geoffroy said, only 200 students studied abroad. This year, more than 1,000 ISU students are learning overseas, he said.

Geoffroy stressed the importance studying abroad has toward progress between citizens of different nations.

“Learning leads to understanding, understanding leads to cooperation and cooperation leads to progress,” he said.

Joanna Courteau, president of the Alpha Delta chapter and professor of Spanish and Portuguese, talked about the role Alpha Delta plays in connecting citizens of different countries.

“By bringing together international and American scholars to debate issues of mutual interest, Phi Beta Delta fosters international understanding,” she said. “In a time when many are driven by fear and a desire for retribution, Phi Beta Delta reminds us of the common ties that bind us and the world community together.”

Geoffroy commended the initiates to Alpha Delta during his address.

“The new initiates have shown that they are not only outstanding citizens of the ISU community, but outstanding citizens of the global community,” he said.

Mir Lund, a new Alpha Delta initiate, said she studied abroad in Spain on two separate occasions and also participated on a biological trip to Kenya since attending Iowa State.

“My international experience has made me a more well-rounded person,” said Lund, senior in child and family services.

Lund said she has gained a greater appreciation of other cultures since studying abroad.

“I now look beyond our shorelines,” she said. “I look to the whole world.”