Phi Theta Kappa wins 19 state awards

NTCC /uploads/2012/04/PTK-awards.jpg
Pictured are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Mu Chi Chapter who contributed to NTCC's 19 awards. Front row (from left) is: Hannah Collier, Tabitha Hooper, Fran Riley, Thomas Martin, Samantha Johnson, and James Rogers. Back row (from left) is: Lance Hollingsworth, Cory Myers, Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner (PTK Advisor), Jessica Barrett, Ryan Lowery, Katherine Barrett, and Thomas Ayars.†

By James Rogers

Managing Editor, The Eagle, NTCC student newspaper

Alpha Mu Chi, the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, showed that they were contenders after receiving 13 awards at the Texas Regional Convention held recently in Odessa.

For Alpha Mu Chi members, the convention was a place to gain fellowship as well as be awarded for the chapter?s past year of hard work and effort.

?It has been a delight to work with such a dedicated and fun group of individuals and to see their work rewarded,? Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner, NTCC History Professor and Alpha Mu Chi advisor, said.

Two of the top awards won by the chapter include the 5-Star Chapter Status and the Pinnacle, which is given to chapters with the highest increase in membership.

In addition, Alpha Mu Chi received the Honors in Action participation, College Project participation, Honors in Action Award of Merit: Issue 8 ? The Arts, and Friend of Texas Appreciation. Four Hall of Honor awards were alsopresented to Alpha Mu Chi members Isaac Griffin, District III vice president, Hannah Collier, president, James Rogers, vice president, and Cory Myers, secretary. Both Collier and Weinbrenner won the Texas Region Hall of Honor award. Lastly, the Communication Award was presented to Griffin and Alpha Mu Chi as the best chapter in the state for connecting District III through newsletters.

?It has been amazing to see the chapter go from being practically non-existent to being one of the most active chapters in the region,? Collier said. ?We won over a dozen awards thanks to the hard work of everyone involved in the chapter; and I don?t think that we could have asked for a greater experience.?

Students also had the opportunity to attend educational workshops during the weekend convention. Fran Vanover, Alpha Mu Chi?s Historian, said the event was an enlightening experience.

?I was unexpectedly surprised to find the weekend to not only be educational but a real example of how PTK is truly about fellowship as well,? Vanover said

Phi Theta Kappa is theinternational honor society for two-year colleges. To become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, students must achieve a 3.5 GPA after at least 12 hours of coursework and must maintain a 3.0 GPA for their time at the community college; therefore, membership is a special honor afforded?to a small group of outstanding students.