April 16, 2008

SCOTLAND COUNTY RESIDENTS INDUCTED INTO RCC PTK HONOR SOCIETY

            The Beta Nu Sigma Chapter of Richmond Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted 52 members Monday night in a ceremony marked with tradition and honor.  A total of 86 students met the criteria and have joined the honor society.  Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and completed a minimum of 12 semester credit hours to be eligible to join.  A list of all inductees is available on the RCC webpage at www.richmondcc.edu

            RCC established the charter in April 2005.  Each year, the number of students attending the ceremony has grown. Soon it will move from the lobby of the Cole Auditorium into the banquet facility or into the auditorium itself.

            PTK President Kiera Freeman, an Early Childhood Associate major, welcomed the new inductees and their family and friends.  She talked about the pride of earning this recognition and asked members to work to help make the organization even better.

            Over the past year, the organization had two service projects which involved a canned food drive and a fall festival project to raise funds to purchase toys for underprivileged children at Christmas.

            PTK members are distinguished at graduation by wearing the gold double honor cords and an honors stole embroidered with the PTK logo.

            PTK Public Relations Officer Doug Ikner, a Human Services Technology major, explained the significance of the Golden Key emblem. The letters stand for “wisdom,” “aspiration,” and “purity.”  The organization promotes a stability and strength of character, plus recognition of achievement and success.

            RCC President Dr. Sharon Morrissey was the keynote speaker.  She provided a brief history of the honor society that recognizes academic excellence of students in two-year colleges.  Today, it is the largest honor society in American higher education with chapters located in Canada, Germany, and Japan.

            Recently, Morrissey had the opportunity to attend the American Association of Community Colleges convention, which had a joint opening session with the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

            “That group is composed of students just like you,” she said.  “Students of all ages with families and jobs to balance have found the time to be active in the organization.  Participating in service projects provides you an opportunity to discover new talents and interests while learning more about community issues.”

            Morrissey said, “What will your resumes say about you?  One thing I want to leave you with is it is in giving and serving we create a better world for others and for ourselves.”

            SGA President April Shelton and Tanya Helms, both associate in arts majors, were recognized as RCC’s nominees for the AACC Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team.

            Students received their membership certificates, lighted candles symbolizing spreading knowledge to others, and recited the membership pledge before joining their families for a reception in their honor.

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CULTINE:  Students attending the April 14^th induction ceremony for the Richmond Community College Beta Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society from Scotland County and Maxton are:  First row:  Vickey Baxley, Heather Crifasi, Tayawanna Ellis, Nell Fields, Angela Lane;  Second row:  Brandi Lewis, Suzanna Locklear, Shawn McCain, Jessica Norton, Robin Miller;  Third row:  Ophelia Rye, Shaneé White, Lisa Williams, Celeste Reid.

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