Rebecca Byers
The Corsair
Phi Theta Kappa, located here on the Pensacola State College campus, is the official honor society for two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa is recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges. Pensacola State College sponsors three chapters Phi Theta Kappa: Theta Chi on Pensacola campus, Beta Beat Gamma on Milton campus, and Beta Alpha Psi on Warrington campus.
Phi Theta Kappa originated from six members back in 1910 in Missouri. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen after the members decided they wanted an honor society, and they became a national organization in Missouri.
According to www. PTK.org, Phi Theta Kappa incorporated its 2 millionth member in 2006 and celebrated its ninety- year anniversary convention in 2008.
“My responsibilities include reaching out to the perspective members via email, phone calls, filters, and signs. There is also in the works an opportunity to speak at New Student Orientations, as well as Dual Enrollment orientations, about Phi Theta Kappa and the benefits you receive for joining the organization,” Jennifer Hill, recruiting officer for the Theta Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, said.
The Theta Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is working with Grace Bonhoff of student activities to play a more active role in the New Student Orientations and the Advising department.
Theta Chi is also planning a college project called C4( Commit to Complete College Challenge). They are creative interactive ways, games and prizes, to educate the student body on the well-known and the not-so-well-known student resources that we have on campus, while the students have fun with interactive games and also learn the importance of earning their associates degrees.
“We have another activity going on right now where we are producing an entertaining and informative video on what makes our campus green,” Hill said.
According to Hill, there is a video contest that they are entering in hope of winning a cash prize that will supplement their project funds. The video will be posted on you tube. The contest deadline was April 6.
The eligibility to get into Phi Theta Kappa you must have a grade point average of 3.5, must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program. You must also have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible*).
You must also receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled. You must also adhere to the moral standards of the society.
If you would like more information on Phi Theta Kappa and on the chapters they offer, please visit http://www.ptk.org/ .