WCC holds induction ceremony for new Phi Theta Kappa members

The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Wilkes Community College held an induction ceremony for new members on Thursday, April 4. During the 2018-2019 academic year, so far 73 students became members of this prestigious honor society for two-year colleges. Four students attended the fall ceremony in November, and twelve new PTK inductees attended the spring ceremony to recite the oath of membership and sign the chapter record book as friends and families looked on.

An invitation to membership in Phi Theta Kappa requires a student to have earned a minimum grade point average of 3.5 out of 4.0 in courses that can be applied to an associate degree. Phi Theta Kappa members are entitled to wear a gold stole and tassel at graduation.

Dr. Nolan Belk, WCC’s faculty advisor for Phi Theta Kappa, welcomed the inductees and their families to the ceremony. Together with Chapter President Eric Kohlmeier and Vice President Hunter Transeau, Dr. Belk explained the value of Phi Theta Kappa as a provider of scholarships, peer networking and leadership training. He pointed out that 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members complete their two-year degrees. Dr. Belk is also the director of the WCC Honors Program and the lead instructor of English.

As part of the Phi Theta Kappa’s focus on Transformations, Nathan Richardson, WCC’s lead instructor of foreign languages, provided a presentation about the value of service learning and study abroad trips. Richardson showed images and spoke about the service learning trips WCC students and community members have taken to Panama. Students were encouraged to seek out opportunities to study abroad and to participate in service learning in order to become better citizens of the world.

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for their individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses around the world. Benefits of membership in Phi Theta Kappa include honors study, service activities, leadership opportunities and scholarships. 

2018-2019 Phi Theta Kappa Inductees

James Alkema, Statesville; Samantha Bare, Sparta; Austin Barker, Union Grove; Benjamin Barker, Wilkesboro; Mystien Barker, West Jefferson; Benjamin Brown, Sparta; Nynika Brown, Taylorsville; James Burcham, State Road; Christopher Butrick, North Wilkesboro; Caleb Byrd, North Wilkesboro; Candace Call, North Wilkesboro; Cody Call, North Wilkesboro; Stephanie Church, North Wilkesboro; Ashley Cornett, Sparta; Leila Crane, Purlear; Breanna Dancy, North Wilkesboro; Mark Dunlap, North Wilkesboro; Lucas Everhart, West Jefferson; Benjamin Faw, Millers Creek; Brian Foster, Hays; Joshua Franklin, Boomer; Elizabeth Goodman, West Jefferson; Eliza Gravely, Dobson; Alex Greer, North Wilkesboro; Cyndal Guffy, Wilkesboro; Tambrey Hauser, Wilkesboro; Sarah Houck, West Jefferson; Sarah Inscore, North Wilkesboro; Christopher Johnson, Sparta; John Johnson, Pulear; Abbit Kenley, Fleetwood; James Kerr, Moravian Falls; James King, Wilkesboro; Laken Kirby, Millers Creek; Robert Koch, Fleetwood; Eric Kohlmeier, Wilkesboro; Carrie Lowe, Wilkesboro; Eric Lunsford, Boomer; Cynthia Maciel, North Wilkesboro; Devany Maldonado Garcia, Millers Creek; Hailey Mastin, Jonesville; Shabrina McPherson, North Wilkesboro; Carla Melton, Hamptonville; Lindsey Miller, Hayes; Ashley Minton, Millers Creek; Alexis Moore, Traphill; Nhung Nguyen, Wilkesboro; Samantha Nickelson, Wilkesboro; Jessika Norman, Millers Creek; Haley Pardue, Hamptonville; Mariah Phillips, Wilkesboro; Madeline Roberts, North Wilkesboro; Jacob Roe, Wilkesboro; Haley Rogers, Wilkesboro; Chelsea Roop, Lansing; Keltyn Ruddock, North Wilkesboro; Dania Ruppard, Glade Valley; Janine Severt, Wilkesboro; Josiah Sparks, Ronda; Lisa St Germain, Jefferson; Jared Staley, Wilkesboro; Courtney Stroud, Harmony; Kellie Taylor, Jefferson; Meagan Thibodeau, Moravian Falls; Hunter Transeau, Wilkesboro; Tendon Wagoner, North Wilkesboro; Rachel Watkins, North Wilkesboro; Carolina Weinberger, West Jefferson; Laken Whitley, Millers Creek; Elizabeth Williams, Wilkesboro; Lexey Williams, Moravian Falls.