Angelina College Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Celebrates New Inductees

Angelina College on Thursday inducted 15 new members into its Upsilon Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa – the international honor society for two-year colleges – in a ceremony held inside Hudgins Hall on the AC campus.

AC president Dr. Michael Simon greeted the inductees and their families, welcoming the new members to a chapter Angelina College has sponsored since 1969. In his opening remarks, Simon expressed the true definition of a “college.”

“What is a college? One might think it’s the buildings and the land, and I can tell you it’s not the case,” Simon said. “It’s not just the library, even though it’s important. The faculty is important as well. But if you don’t have students, the faculty is just a bunch of really educated folks talking to themselves.

“What makes a college is the students and the fact they come here and entrust us with their education and the opportunity to learn and to grow into responsible citizens, professionals and family members.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Susan Edwards, Associate Vice President of Honors Programming and Undergraduate Research at Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society International.

“Congratulations on your achievement, and we’re very excited for Phi Theta Kappa because you make us stronger,” Edwards said. “You have a lot to do with PTK’s culture and how it evolves.

“You’re entering a very strong chapter here at AC, and you’re helping make it even stronger.”

The new inductees strolled the stage to sign their names into the PTK book while receiving their traditional candles and roses, along with the ceremonial cord presented by Simon. Chapter administrator Dr. Tim Ditoro, along with PTK advisors Dr. Tom McKinney, Gerardo Valladares and Monica Newberg, also addressed the inductees.

AC’s newest PTK members inducted on Thursday include Heaven Antley, Yazmine Gamboa, Mia Guerrero, Melanie Lopez, Anakaren Ovalle, Verania Paulin, Kimberly Raines, Maritza Rios, Sheramie Salazar, Jade Scott, Britton Shoellhorn, Jayden Shoellhorn, Clara Sonet, Dalyn West and Theodore Williams.

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is demonstrated in the four hallmarks of the society: scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service. Through activities the organization strives to honor those hallmarks for the improvement of the community, the college, others and themselves. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and have completed at least 12 hours of college work. Members must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA each semester following their induction. Provisional membership is available to students who have not yet completed twelve hours of college credit.

For further information regarding PTK, contact Dr. Tim Ditoro at tditoro@angelina.edu.

The newest members of Angelina College’s Upsilon Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa pose with AC staff members following Thursday’s induction ceremony. PTK is an international honor society for two-year colleges. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)