Piedmont Community College (PCC) inducted 18 new students into the College’s Alpha Upsilon Theta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society during the 2021-22 academic year.
The new members include:
Elisha Bumpass, Alejandra Cabrera, Ricardo Gachuzo, Remonda Hana, Faith Harris, Oliver Ignacia Silverio, Guadalupe Jairam, John Koutsis, Paige Lee, Maci Mize, Brendan Nunnally, Kaitlyn Oakley, Shelton O’Briant, Joanna Richardson, Eric Rone, Wallace Vaden, Sandra Welch, and Emmalyn Williamson.
During the spring semester induction ceremony, PCC Vice President Barbara Buchanan shared, “I am so excited to welcome a new group of our best and brightest students into this prestigious honor society. Our purpose today is to recognize those students who have met the rigorous academic standards of Phi Theta Kappa and have agreed to join the organization.”
Others participating in the announcement were Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Chapter President Jackson Bradsher, PTK Chapter Vice-President Liliana Mejia, PTK Chapter Secretary Carson Duncan, Communications Officer Kayla Rice, PTK Chapter co-advisor Dr. Chandler Fry, and PCC’s President, Dr. Pamela G. Senegal.
PTK officers Jackson Bradsher, Liliana Mejia, Carson Duncan, and Kayla Rice all shared information about the various PTK symbols, including the torch, white rose, and emblem.
Before announcing the new members, Bradsher explained, “You are about to be inducted into a scholarly fellowship which embraces community colleges, not only of your own state, but of the nation and the world.” He continued, “After induction, you will find among the members an atmosphere of scholarship, to which you must give of yourself in order that the organization may be meaningful to you.”
After the students lit their ceremonial candle and received their certificate, co-advisor Dr. Chandler Fry announced, “It is my pleasure to welcome you into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the lively fellowship of scholars it affords. I charge you to explore always for truth and to dedicate yourselves to the cultivation of the well-reasoned life, a prelude to service and honor.”
In addition to offering her congratulations, PCC President Pamela G. Senegal proposed a similar challenge in her address, “A year and a half ago, in the Fall of 2020, I challenged previous members and new inductees to advance our College’s PTK chapter to reach five-star status. These students accepted and met this challenge before the spring induction, co-advisor Dr. Miller followed, earning his five-star status as an advisor, and now PCC’s Phi Theta Kappa will maintain its coveted status for another year.”
She continued, “After a successful year leading the charge to earn third place in the Collegiate Hunger Challenge and helping fight food insecurity in the areas we serve, the new challenge I pose to you is to continue to be purposeful and to continue to lead. Whether it’s a small fraction of your community or on a global scale, please continue to make a positive impact on the people and the world around you.”
Senegal also reminded inductees about the benefits available to PTK students, “I am personally asking you now to be intentional about using the benefits associated with the honor society, such as financial opportunities, transfer assistance, and connections to career pathways.”
Before the ceremony concluded, Fry called forward the newly elected officers to officially install them, in front of their peers, as the officers for the 2022-2023 school year, and have them sign the Alpha Upsilon Theta Chapter Record Book.
“Before you assume your obligations as officers of the chapter, you shall renew your pledge of membership in Phi Theta Kappa,” Fry said. “You are charged with the responsibility of learning the duties of your office and executing those duties to the best of your ability.”
PCC is actively assisting eligible students in becoming a member of this prestigious International Honor Society by offering partial financial assistance for the membership fee. Students complete an application, and they are required to pay a portion of the membership fee, if selected.
To find out more about how you can help support future Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members, contact Beth Townsend at (336) 322-2104 or Beth.Townsend@piedmontcc.edu.
About PTK:
For more than 100 years, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has helped millions of high-achieving college students reach their full potential. The group recognizes academic success, as well as offers opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills, earn scholarships, explore career paths, and make their worlds a lot bigger. Learn more at www.ptk.org.
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