Montgomery County Community College's Top Students Are Inducted Into The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Norristown PA

08 December, 2021

4:32 AM

Description

Press release from the Montgomery County Community College: December 6, 2021 Students selected for the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for two-year colleges exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service. Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated the induction of 95 students into the Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international honor society for two-year colleges. To be eligible for this elite honor, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits, maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. Students recommended for PTK exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service. MCCC has two PTK chapters – Alpha Kappa Zeta at the Blue Bell Campus and Beta Tau Lambda at the Pottstown Campus. Both chapters have attained five-star status, the highest rank a chapter can earn. Dr. Catherine Parzynski, History Assistant Professor, and Dr. Cathy Hoult Shewring, History Professor, are the advisers for Alpha Kappa Zeta, and Douglas Powell, History Assistant Professor, and Meredith Frank, Communications Studies Instructor, are the advisers for Beta Tau Lambda. The video ceremony started with a congratulatory message from MCCC's sixth President, Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez. "It is truly my honor to join you in celebrating your academic, leadership and service accomplishments at the College and in our communities," President Bastecki-Perez said. "On behalf of the entire Montco Family, including our Board of Trustees, your fellow students, our faculty, staff and alumni of more than 65,000 members and, of course, myself, we are proud of your efforts and your continued work as you pursue your academic goals. Congratulations on a job well done." The inductees are joining a scholarly fellowship, said Dr. Parzynski, which extends beyond MCCC to regional and national networks. Founded in 1918, PTK officially was recognized by the American Association for Junior Colleges in 1925. Today, it has grown to include more than 700 regular and alumni chapters nationwide. MCCC's Alpha Kappa Zeta chapter started in 1985. This year's officers are Emily Duggan, President; Katelyn Schuchardt, Vice President of Service; Darcy Mossholder, Vice President of Leadership; and Emilie McCarthy, Recording Officer. As PTK members, MCCC students participate in the Honors in Action service program and will have access to transfer scholarships opportunities, receive member discounts and wear special regalia attire during commencement in recognition of their membership. Students may be inducted into the chapter for the fall semester through the end of 2021. The Alpha Kappa Zeta inductees for fall 2021 to date include: Maria Abdallaoui, Norristown Adem Aydin, Willow Grove Ruby Baker, Norristown Oluwatosin Bankole, Gilbertsville Charles Barsky, Plymouth Meeting Cami Beaver, Plymouth Meeting Lyndsie Bechtel, Norristown Rebecca Beneroff, Ambler Jessica Bergey, Hatfield Emily Bruni, Ambler Meghan Burns, Skippack Christina Carcaci, North Wales Brendan Cartin, Hatboro Gabe Claypoole, Pottstown James Coladonato, Audubon Amanda Currie, Marcus Hook Madison Curry, Lansdale Shari Davis, Abington Sufyan Davis-Arrington, Lansdale William Donahue, Benton Laura Elofer, Lake Worth Jennifer Fanega, Lafayette Hill Ana Fejzaj, Norristown Mason Fichtner, Gilbertsville Bailey Funkhouser, Pottstown Christopher Granahan, Hatboro Elaina Grando, Schwenksville Emily Guicheteau, Oreland Jodie Gunster, North Wales Charlotte Haggerty, Philadelphia Andrea Haines, Lansdale Hailey Hinkle, Colmar Andrea Hoffman-Zahm, Bridgeport Tony Jalcs, Collegeville Cynthia Jerdan, Telford Chanel Jones, Darby Evan Kaminsky, Horsham Madison Kerper, Jeffersonville Evan Kohlbus, Lansdale Deanna Kuik, Lansdale Matthew Kuznicki, King of Prussia Nina Kuznicki, King of Prussia James Laskey, Kingston Emily Lessie, Pottstown Mia Levenberg, Souderton Mariana Linares, Norristown Robert Livingston, North Wales Joanne Malandra, Norristown Karen Manson, Elkins Park Joebanna Martineau, Royersford Grace McGinnis, Ardmore Lauren Meter, Collegeville Briana Miller, Pennsburg Stephanie Miller, Quakertown Isabella Monteiro, Willow Grove William Moser, King of Prussia Heather Myers, Sellersville Gadisa Negi, Norristown Isabella Ngov, Oreland Dhruv Patel, Souderton Ann Pecoraro, Harleysville Linda Pellegrino, Oreland Zion Perry, Willow Grove Kyle Petras, Blue Bell Abigail Pietrak, Gilbertsville Rocco Pistilli, Oreland Giuseppe Preziosi, King of Prussia Zachary Raugh, Boyertown Kelly Regan, Fort Washington Heather Reitnauer, Gilbertsville Payton Ridenour, Pottstown Elizabeth Rivera, Philadelphia Patrick Robertson, Philadelphia Rachel Roomberg, Wayne Emma Rose, Roslyn Daniel Ryan, Norristown Devin Santo, Blue Bell Kasey Schwalje, Willow Grove Jennifer Seifert, Lafayette Hill Morgan Sitasz, Horsham Jacob Snyder, Willow Grove Brianne Swope, Sumneytown Victoria Valerio Lopez, Skippack Jennifer Walker, Barto Samantha Walsh, Glenside Autumn Ward, Abington Michael Ward, Ardmore Shaya Watson, Norristown Tania Watson, Spring City Felicity Weller, Plymouth Meeting Maria Wilson, Bryn Mawr Carolyn Wombough, Skippack Yuzhao Xie, Conshohocken Christopher Young, Hatfield Corina Zuniga, Hatboro After the ceremony, Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the students on their achievements. "The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students as well as to provide opportunities for growth as scholars and leaders," said Dr. Oikelome. "I am a firm believer in that it takes a village to achieve your goals, and as we conclude today's ceremony, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the individuals in the Montco village – faculty, staff, friends, family, PTK advisers – thank you for all that you do for our inductees as they pursue their academic and career pathways." This press release was produced by the Montgomery County Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.