BELIZE CITY — On Thursday, August 27, 2026, Saint John’s College (SJC) celebrated its inaugural Alpha Sigma Nu (AΣN) induction ceremony, welcoming 23 student members and five honorary inductees: Dr. Mirtha “Alice” Peralta, PhD, University President; Dr. Solangel Alvarado, PhD, Dean of the Junior College; Dr. Alexia Pol-Lopez, EdD, Associate Dean of the University; Mrs. Aloma Hall, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; and Ms. Kristy Varela, Director of Academic Success. The event was held in the college’s newly renovated Fordyce Chapel, which was recently blessed by Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus.
Coinciding with Saint John’s College’s 140th anniversary, the occasion recognized students whose accomplishments reflect Alpha Sigma Nu’s core values of scholarship, loyalty, and service, as well as the college’s Jesuit mission.
“Visiting Saint John’s College for this historic induction ceremony gave me a sense of the community that exists among its leadership, faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” said Clara Dwyer, Executive Director of Alpha Sigma Nu. “Throughout my time on campus, I witnessed an incredible commitment to educating and forming students not only for personal success, but also for service to their families, communities, and country. It became clear that Saint John’s College has a transformative impact that extends far beyond Belize, as its graduates carry forward the values and lessons they learned here across the world. Also evident was the great pride the college community has in an education that is both authentically Catholic and Jesuit, and deeply rooted in Belizean heritage. I am honored to have shared in this milestone and to welcome these outstanding students and honorary members into Alpha Sigma Nu.”
In her induction remarks, President Mirtha “Alice” Peralta, PhD, noted that the inaugural class represents approximately the top 1.5% of the college’s students. Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, she compared the inductees to a constellation of stars depicted in a book she recently received from Pope Leo XIV during the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) presidents’ pilgrimage to Rome.
“These inductees are like a constellation of stars representing our brightest students,” President Peralta said. “They help guide the way for other students, and they are formed by their families, their communities, and the transformative education they have received at Saint John’s College. We are very proud of each of them.”
Dr. Solangel Alvarado, Dean of the College, echoed this sentiment.
“These students are carrying forward an important legacy of scholarship, loyalty, and service,” she said. “At Saint John’s College, we strive for the magis, and these students embody that commitment both inside and outside the classroom through their integrity, leadership, and service to others.”
In 2020, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) welcomed Saint John’s College as its 28th member institution. The college was later approved as the 33rd chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu during the honor society’s 36th Triennial Conference at Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey in November 2025, becoming the first Alpha Sigma Nu chapter in Central America.
