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²ÝÁñÉçÇø history professor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner has been chosen to serve as a Phi Theta Kappa 2012 Faculty Scholar. Only 25 instructors were chosen from among nearly 3,000 chapter advisors to receive this honor. The scholars were selected through a rigorous application process based on knowledge of the 2012-2013 Honors Study Topic, "The Culture of Competition,? and demonstrated excellence in teaching or administration.

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The group will attend the annual Faculty Scholar Conference, sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, at Phi Theta Kappa's Center for Excellence in Jackson, Mississippi, February 1-5, 2012.†During the Faculty Scholar Conference, the Scholars will prepare to serve as facilitators during Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Institute, to be held in June 2012.

Weinbrenner is an Associate Professor of History and the Division Director for Social Sciences at NTCC. She has served as the faculty sponsor for the NTCC Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa since†2010. Weinbrenner holds an Associate of Arts degree from Tyler Junior College, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Texas at Tyler and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.†

?I am really excited about this opportunity! It?s a chance to work with some very creative and intriguing people from across the country.† Plus it is another great opportunity for our chapter and NTCC to connect with this highly respected international honor society.† I am hoping to take what I learn and use it to benefit NTCC?s already strong chapter," Weinbrenner said.†

While attending the Honors Institute these Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholars will lead groups of 15-20 honor students in seminar discussions of the issues presented by experts on the topic throughout the week. The Scholars will attend Part II of the Faculty Scholar Conference prior to the Honors Institute.

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?The Faculty Scholar Conference is recognized internationally as one of the finest professional development programs available for community college faculty members,? said Phi Theta Kappa?s Executive Director Dr. Rod Risley. ?Intense training is provided by nationally recognized scholars to prepare the Faculty Scholars to serve as facilitators for the Honors Institute, which is attended by approximately 400 Phi Theta Kappa members and chapter advisors from around the world, and praised as ?the crown jewel of honors programming experiences.??†