The Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society at Wilkes Community College held an induction ceremony for new members on Tuesday, March 26. Several new members attended the ceremony Tuesday night 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 a diploma or degree. Phi Theta Kappa members are entitled to wear a gold stole and tassel at graduation.
WCC’s faculty advisors for Phi Theta Kappa, Laura Shumate, Melissa Holloway, and Tori Johnson welcomed the inductees and their families to the ceremony. During the ceremony, Laura explained the value of Phi Theta Kappa as a provider of scholarships, peer networking, and leadership training.
Guest speaker Shabrina McPherson, former WCC student and Vice President for the Alpha Kappa Omega chapter of PTK, gave a presentation to the inductees. She shared her experience with PTK and how it shaped her personally and professionally. Shabrina is also the current PTK Alumni Vice President for Carolinas Region (Alpha Omega) and Chapter Advisor for Forsyth Tech (Alpha Mu Rho).
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 nearly 1,300 chapters on college campuses around the world. Benefits of membership in Phi Theta Kappa include honors study, service activities, leadership opportunities, and scholarships.
l-r: Julie Summerlin, Anna Church, Megan Powers, Bo Patrick, Sawyer Greene, Bryson Welborn, Savannah Sparks, Faith Elledge, Molly Gibson, Carrie Dowell, Jasmine Rosario, Brittany Whitaker, Jade Gardner, and Kelsie Huffman