Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society
for 2-Year Colleges
Alpha Eta Rho
Member’s Booklet
Table of Contents
What is Phi Theta Kappa? ----------------------------------- Page 3
History of Phi Theta Kappa ----------------------------------- Page 5
History of Our Chapter and Region -------------------------- Page 7
Membership
----------------------------------- Page 11
Membership Benefits
----------------------------------- Page 17
Officers and Duties
----------------------------------- Page 19
Our Chapter
------------------------------------ Page 24
Activities
------------------------------------ Page 30
AEROMA Awards
------------------------------------ Page 32
Hallmarks
------------------------------------ Page 34
Other Awards
------------------------------------- Page 37
Copyright ©2008 by Phi Theta Kappa. All rights reserved. None of
the official Phi Theta Kappa logos and emblems may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Phi
Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa has registered the name, logo and
various titles herein with the U.S. Patent Office.
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What is Phi Theta Kappa?
Mission Statement
"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and
encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To
achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity
for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual
climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for
scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic
excellence."
-
Phi Theta Kappa International Website
Phi Theta Kappa Mission
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold:
1) Recognize and encourage the academic achievement of
two-year college students
2) Provide opportunities for individual growth and
development through participation in honors, leadership,
service and fellowship programming
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PTK Structure
Phi Theta Kappa is structured on three levels:
Local: A student becomes a member of Phi Theta Kappa through
the local chapter at a two-year college.
Regional: The Society has 29 regions; some regions are one state
such as Texas or New York. Others are made up of several states
such as New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) or Nevada/California. You
can find contact information for your Regional Coordinator and
regional officers as well as upcoming regional meetings at
www.ptk.org/regions/.
International: The Center for Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa’s
International Headquarters, is located in Jackson, Mississippi.
Today Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American
higher education with more than 2 million members and 1,200
chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories,
Canada, Germany, British Virgin Islands and the Pacific Rim.
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History of Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that
originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi
Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The
Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of
many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents
of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided
to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have
a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The
name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was
incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders
modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious
senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.
The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin,
Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William
Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin
College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin
College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey
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College, Nevada, Missouri, is the only charter college with an
active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity
to women’s junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional
amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior
colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders
of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American
Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa
as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.
In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected
national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth
College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary
in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her
hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa’s chief
executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.
In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was
conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and
services were offered. The explosive growth of community
colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to
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reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served.
Students were inducted as freshmen and study programs were
offered.
History of our Chapter and Region
The Alpha Eta Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was
created at Kirkwood Community College on March 16, 1982. The
chapter was part of the Minn-io-wa-kota Region (Minnesota, Iowa,
Wisconsin, and the Dakotas.)
In April, 1998, advisors from DMACC, Hawkeye, and
Clinton Community College met here at KCC with Rhonda Kekke,
Dean of Arts & Humanities and Kathleen Van Steenhuyse (Dean
of Social Sciences and Career Option Programs) to hammer out a
proposal to have Iowa named an independent Region of the
International Organization of Phi Theta Kappa. The rationale
included the facts that although dues were paid, the awards, all
leadership conferences, and Regional meetings, and the annual
statewide conventions were held in Minnesota, and dominated by
Minnesota chapters. While it was helpful to have had Minnesota’s
tutelage as the Iowa chapters began, Minnesota was too far away
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and too expensive for Iowa chapters to really participate. Our
students were losing opportunities for leadership and scholarships.
Over the years, Rhonda worked with other Iowa advisors to realize
that we should form our own region as soon as enough chapters
existed statewide to justify breaking away. Her efforts paid off that
April evening. We worked late into the night and presented all the
chapters and the National organization with a proposal to form a
separate Iowa Region.
In Fall, 1998, a statewide meeting was held with observers
from the International Organization present, at which eighteen of
the twenty-two chapters in existence voted to form the new Iowa
Region. The observers were very impressed by the level of support
and the collaboration which took place. There was no turf
protecting or attention-grabbing. They thought Iowa could be a
model for other areas of the country.
An ad hoc Executive board met through the summer
writing by-laws and resolving thorny problems of representation,
voting, and regional responsibilities. The International observers
who also came to these meetings were again impressed with the
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way we wrote the by-laws to enhance participation from all four
quadrants of the state.
The new region received national approval and was
announced at the International Conference in Anaheim, CA, in
1999. We held the first state-wide convention in the Spring of
2000, electing an executive board, adopting by-laws, setting
regional goals, presenting awards for hallmarks, membership,
leadership, and outstanding advisors, and encouraging participation
at the national/ international level. Kathleen Van Steenhuyse
served as one of the advisors on the Executive Board. Dr. Regena
Peters of Hawkeye Community College was the Regional
Coordinator for our State. Now that we have a Regional
Coordinator, the All Iowa Academic Team Awards Program is
coordinated by this officer, while the dinner is still hosted by Iowa
community colleges in rotation.
Results for students are easy to catalogue: opportunities for
leadership experience, for service projects, for scholarships to for
Honors Institutes and for scholarships for college and for
recognition at Iowa Regional Leadership and State Conventions,
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and even at the National level. At the first state convention,
Kirkwood swept all but one of the Hallmark Awards and also
Received three Advisor recognition Awards.
Kathleen believed that we had two wonderful marketing
opportunities: to woo academically gifted prospective students
who want to do more by letting them know that Kirkwood has 1)
challenging courses to offer, taught by an outstanding faculty; 2)
membership in PTK; and 3) the opportunity to work with our
outstanding faculty in the Honors Project. On the other side, we
then let the four-year institutions know about what our best and
brightest have to offer. Doing this is good for our students and it
enhances KCC’s own academic reputation while fulfilling our
mission to serve our seven-county community.
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Membership
WHY JOIN PHI THETA KAPPA?
Here are SEVEN good reasons:
1. Over $36 million of scholarship money nationwide is
available for members who transfer to four-year
institutions. The International Phi Theta Kappa Website
(ptk.org) has more information on scholarship opportunities
available in Iowa and across the country. You can also
check out the exciting events happening in the state by
going to the Iowa website
(http//www.kirkwood.edu/iowaptk)
2. Your college transcript will have a special notation that
identifies you as a member of Phi Theta Kappa. This will
make an impression on those who view your transcript in
the future.
3. Phi Theta Kappa provides you with an opportunity to get to
know other serious students here at Kirkwood Community
College. Active membership provides you with a wonderful
opportunity to make new friends.
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4. Members who are not on probation earn the right to wear
the gold stole and tassel during the commencement
ceremony. By wearing the stole and tassel, you receive
recognition for your academic accomplishments.
5. It is a lot of fun! Active PTK members are involved in
many fun and meaningful activities.
6. Members who begin careers in civil service positions will
receive a higher GS rating (and starting salary) if you
notify your employer of your membership in Phi Theta
Kappa.
7. IT’S AN AWARD FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, NOT
WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!!!
Membership Fee
A onetime fee of $60 is charged for new members.
The fee is broken down into the following parts:
 $45 go to PTK International

$7.50 go to the Iowa Region of Phi Theta Kappa

$7.50 go to our chapter
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Active Membership
The Active member attends meetings and inductions, and
participates in Phi Theta Kappa activities. Upon verification of
service, Alpha Eta Rho members may borrow a stole to wear at
Commencement; upon request, they will also receive a letter of
recommendation from a Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor.
Non-Active Membership
The Non-active member attends the induction, but does not
necessarily attend meetings or fulfill a service requirement. Nonactive members must buy a stole for commencement.
Eligibility
To be eligible for membership:

You must be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution
offering an associate degree program

You must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework
that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time
students may be eligible)
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
You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to be a member
and maintain a GPA of 3.3

You must adhere to the moral standards of the society
OR

You receive an invitation to membership from the chapter
at the college you are presently enrolled in

You were in Phi Theta Kappa in High School
Typically both part-time and full-time students who have met
all of the academic requirements are invited to become members.
Part-time students may be eligible for membership IF they
have accumulated the total number of hours over two or more
academic terms used by your institution to designate full-time
status (usually 12 hours on a semester system). The decision to
declare part-time students eligible is an option of the local chapter
and should be addressed in each chapter's bylaws. Phi Theta Kappa
Headquarters strongly encourages the eligibility of part-time
students, and currently 92 percent of all chapters allow part-time
students to be inducted.
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International students are welcome to become members.
They must achieve the required GPA, have accumulated the
number of hours required by the college to designate full-time
status, and possess all rights of citizenship in their native land.
GPA maintenance is key!
If your GPA drops below 3.3

You have one semester to raise it or you will lose your
membership.

If your GPA is below 3.4 during the semester prior to the
one in which you graduate, you will not be eligible to wear
the gold stole and tassel during the Commencement
ceremony. This rule applies to the honors cord as well.

If your GPA has been below 3.4, but you have been able to
get it back to 3.4 or above during the semester prior to the
one in which you graduate, you will be able to wear the
gold stole and tassel.

If your GPA has been below 3.4, but you receive grades
during the semester of graduation that will push it back to
3.4 or above after that semester’s grades are calculated into
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your total GPA, you will not be eligible to wear the gold
stole and tassel, but you will receive the gold PTK seal
from our chapter advisor for your diploma and notification
on your transcript that signify you are a PTK member. This
is important if you are applying for Phi Theta Kappa
scholarships at other institutions.

If your GPA includes special conditions that may adversely
affect your GPA average, such as a large number of courses
taken on a “Pass-Fail” basis, contact a chapter advisor for
assistance in calculating your GPA for Phi Theta Kappa
purposes.
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Phi Theta Kappa Membership Benefits
1. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may apply for more than $36
million in transfer scholarships, provided exclusively to
Society members by more than 600 senior institutions.
2. FREE enrollment in The Transfer Database, used by
hundreds of senior colleges and universities to recruit Phi
Theta Kappa transfer students.
3. Members may connect to find cutting-edge services,
programs and resources selected especially to meet their
needs. The benefits, available to members free of charge,
include:
4. Press release announcing your membership, sent
electronically to a newspaper of your choice.
5. Letter of recommendation sent to a college admissions
counselor or scholarship official.
6. Letter of recommendation sent to a potential employer.
7. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the prestigious
Golden Key Membership Pin.
8. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive the impressive
Certificate of Membership.
9. All members of Phi Theta Kappa receive a wallet-size
Identification Card.
10. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may affix the Society’s Gold
Diploma Seal, denoting Society membership, to their two-
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year college diploma. Gold seals can be obtained from
chapter advisors.
11. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may have their
membership in the international honor society noted on
their transcript, contingent on their college’s policy.
12. Civil Service Jobs Benefit
Members applying for GS5 federal jobs and who completed
a baccalaureate degree with superior academic
achievement, as defined by the Federal Office of Personnel
Management, would be upgraded to a GS7 classification,
meaning an increase in starting salary over the GS5 grade.
GS5 federal jobs are entry level jobs requiring completion
of a baccalaureate degree or four years of study beyond
high school.
13. Members of Phi Theta Kappa may wear the Society’s
golden monogrammed Honors Stole and Tassel, at college
commencement exercises, available through purchase,
contingent on college policy.
14. The Certificate of Membership and Membership
Identification Card are included in your Benefit Packet
mailed to your home address. If you did not receive your
Membership Certificate and Identification Card, please
email member.services@ptk.org.
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Benefit info taken from www.ptk.org
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Officers and Duties
General Officer Duties
1. Planning and getting involved in Hallmark projects
2. Attending officer and general meetings, and taking a
leadership role at these meetings
3. Working on Hallmark essays
4. Working to keep new members interested and motivated
5. Attending Regional meetings, as well as other chaptersponsored events (ex. Bake sale)
6. Preparing for and participating in inductions (informal and
formal)
7. Fulfilling particular responsibilities that attach to your
office (outlined below)
Officer Descriptions
If you want to be one of the few people that coordinate Phi
Theta Kappa, now’s your chance. We are looking for motivated,
dependable, and hard-working members that would like to step up
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to the next level and become an officer of the Alpha Eta Rho
Chapter.
President
The President is responsible for working with the VicePresident on planning activities for the school year. The President
is also responsible for leading the meetings we have during the
school year.
Vice-President
The Vice-President is responsible for planning the activities
for the school year. In the event the president can’t come to a
meeting or is unreachable the Vice-President fills in for the
President’s duties.
Secretary
The Secretary has the responsibility of sending out e-mails
on a regular basis about upcoming activities and meetings. The
Secretary also writes down notes about the Phi Theta Kappa
meetings and after typing them up gives them to Rich Underwood
to be put on the chapter website.
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Treasurer
The Treasurer handles submitting receipts for
reimbursement for food ordered for the meetings and other things
purchased for the organization. The Treasurer also handles
depositing money earned from activities.
Public Relations
The Public Relations officer creates posters about the
meetings and hangs them up the Wednesday before the meeting.
The P.R. officer also handles the creation and hanging of activity
posters when needed, ordering the food for meetings and getting
the word out about PTK and its activities.
Student Council Rep
The Student Council Rep is the officer that attends the
student council meetings on Thursday during the Activity Hour.
They then review the information with the other officers to see if
there is anything that PTK can help with and to be kept in the loop
regarding the student council.
ALL OFFICERS
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All the officers participate in the writing of the hallmarks for
this chapter that gives us our five-star status. The Hallmarks are
written at the end of the year and are submitted in January.
Officers are expected to wear their medals at the meetings and
make every effort to come to the meetings, activities, and PTK
conferences. Officers need to be able to meet occasionally to
discuss progress and help planning out the details and executing
activities. It is also STRONGLY recommended that the officers
attend the regional and, if enough funds are available, international
conventions. ALL OFFICERS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR
COMING UP WITH AND COORDINATING AT LEAST ONE
ACTIVITY OF THEIR CHOOSING.
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Officer Elect’s Protocol Procedure
The Officer Elects are to be trained be the existing officers so
that they are ready when they replace the current officers after the
formal induction in the spring. Unless the existing officer is unable
to fulfill their duties or are not fulfilling their duties the new
officers expected to follow the procedure below. This is to
maintain order, consistency, and communication throughout the
organization so no one is trying to perform their duties in the dark,
especially if the organizations money is involved.
1. Check with the current officer you are replacing first, they
should have the information you need or will make sure
everything is okay going forward
2. Check with the Phi Theta Kappa Advisors about what you
are doing, they should give you feedback about what you
are doing
3. Check with the current officer one last time to see if
anything has changed, especially if changes were made to
what you are doing.
4. Proceed with your activities.
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Our Chapter
Chapter name: Alpha Eta Rho
Chapter Website: www.kirkwood.edu/alphaetarho
International Website: www.ptk.org
Phi Theta Kappa is a student-driven organization; the
officers are really in charge! If you have questions, comments, or
suggestions, therefore, you should begin by contacting one of the
Alpha Eta Rho student officers.
Administrative Advisors
Dr. Jennifer Bradley, Dean of Arts and Humanities
E-mail: jennifer.bradley@kirkwood.edu
Jan Reiff, Office Coordinator-Arts and Humanities
E-mail: jan.reiff@kirkwood.edu
Chapter Advisors
Contact Advisor: Rich Underwood
Phone (319) 398-5587
E-mail: rich.underwood@kirkwood.edu
Advisor: Tony Arduini
Phone: (319) 398-5899 x5194
E-mail: tony.arduini@kirkwood.edu
Chapter Officers
President: Michael Schmidt
E-mail: plant_man05@yahoo.com
Vice-President: Megan Conrad
E-mail: mec81589@yahoo.com
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Historian: Lisa Gibbs
E-mail: lgibby60@hotmail.com
Secretary: Samantha Day
E-mail: s.j.day26@gmail.com
Treasurer: Eric Veldman
E-mail: evelman9@hotmail.com
Public Relations: Luke Gerst
E-mail: planes3030@hotmail.com
Student Senate Rep.: Beshara Moussa
E-mail: shadowofuture@gmail.com
Meetings
Meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of every month
Room 304 of Benton Hall
(For more info consult the PTK Calendar on our website)
www.kirkwood.edu/alphaetarho
Other Phi Theta Kappa Information
Alpha Eta Rho is proud to be affiliated with the Iowa
Region of Phi Theta Kappa and with the international Phi Theta
Kappa society headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi.
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With the support of Kirkwood Community College, its
members, and advisors, Alpha Eta Rho is dedicated to helping each
active member achieve the four Phi Theta Kappa hallmarks:
scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. Phi Theta Kappa
is officially recognized by the American Association of
Community Colleges, Washington, D.C., as the academic honor
society for students in two-year colleges.
Keep track of your GPA!
If it is below 3.4 during the semester when you will
graduate from Kirkwood, you will not be eligible to wear the stole
and tassel.
Active Members:
Active members who have a GPA of 3.4 or higher and who
have completed their service hours are eligible to wear the gold
stole and tassel free of charge based on their record of service,
fellowship, scholarship, and leadership in the chapter. The stoles
and tassels must be returned after the ceremony.
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Officers who have executed their duties consistently and
faithfully for at least one semester are also entitled to wear the
honors cords, a double strand cord in Phi Theta Kappa colors,
during the Commencement ceremony. Officers who have missed
meetings or failed to complete their responsibilities should not
expect to wear the cord, but are eligible to wear the gold stole and
gold tassel, as any other active member would be.
Officers who are entitled to wear the honors cord may also
select from the active membership one outstanding member to
receive the “Alpha Award.” This award goes to members who
faithfully attended meetings and who made outstanding
contributions toward Hallmark Committee projects. The recipient
of this award may also wear the honors cord during the
commencement ceremony.
Non-active (recorded) Members:
Non-active (recorded) members who do not take part in
Alpha Eta Rho’s meetings and projects are eligible, if their GPA is
3.4 or above, to wear the gold PTK stole and tassel. However, they
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must purchase the stole and tassel at a cost of $26, either by
ordering them from Phi Theta Kappa national headquarters
(ptk.org) or obtaining them through the chapter at CH337.
Commencement Recognition (Stoles and Tassels)
The golden Phi Theta Kappa stole and tassel worn at
Commencement signify to the community of scholars and the
audience at large that you are a Phi Theta Kappa member in good
standing. This means that everyone who wears the gold stole and
tassel has earned the 3.5 GPA required for membership, and at the
time of Commencement is maintaining the 3.4 GPA required for
continued membership.
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Activities
Our chapter tries to perform a wide variety of activities
every semester. We also want our members opinions on what we
could do to improve our college, community, and environment. If
you ever have an idea for an activity, please write it down on our
activity list that is located on our PTK billboard next to the Arts &
Humanities Office in Cedar Hall or talk to one of the officers or
advisors.
Some Activities with have done in the past:














Daffodil Days
Red Cross Blood Drive
PTK Walking Taco Sale
JDRF pizza sale
JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
Theater Bake Sales
Project Graduation
Indian Creek Nature Center Seed Collection
Indian Creek Nature Center Tree Wieving, Digging up
invasive species
Walk 2 the Beat for the Heart Connection
Campus Clean-up
HalfPriceBooks Book Drive
Toys for Tots
DMACC Item Drive for the Troop
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Sample Activity List
If you have an idea for an activity PTK could do, than please
write it on the activity list OR talk to the officers or advisors about
it. The chances are pretty good that we will approve it.
AEROMA Award
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AEROMA Award
Our Chapter has an award for active members that participate in
chapter activities for any semester. The AEROMA stands for
Alpha Eta Rho Outstanding Member Award.
How do you receive the award?
1) Participate in 2 activities and attend a minimum of 3
chapter meetings for a the semester
2) Print out the application from our chapter website (
www.kirkwood.edu/alphaetarho )
3) Have an officer or one of the advisors initial the activity
you participated in
4) Write a short essay about what you did, when you did it,
and what it meant to you for each activity you participated
in
5) Turn in the application and essay to the PTK advisors by
the due date
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Sample AEROMA Award
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Hallmarks
What are the Hallmarks?
Every year each chapter needs to write a series of essays
detailing what activities they have had in the fields of scholarship,
leadership, and service. These essays are needed to get our chapter
5-star status, which demonstrates how active a chapter has been in
the year.
The Scholarship Hallmark
The Scholarship Hallmark details how the chapter has
promoted the ideal of scholarship and learning with its members.
Implementation of the current Honors Study Topic should
be the primary focus of Scholarship Hallmark programs. Other
activities may include tutoring, mentoring, and projects
recognizing scholarship among students and/or faculty. To be
competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their
Scholarship Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (Honors
Study Topic) and secondary focus (mentoring, tutoring, etc.) of
their Scholarship Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to
describe the specific outcome of their Scholarship Hallmark
program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well
as the growth of the chapter and others.
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– From www.ptk.org
The Leadership Hallmark
The Leadership Hallmark details the activities that the
chapter, officers, or members have undertaken or worked in
conjunction with another organization. This hallmark is really for
people that want to see an activity and are willing to work to see it
happen.
Implementation of activities in which the chapter assumes
leadership roles on campus, in the community and within Phi
Theta Kappa should be the primary focus of Leadership Hallmark
programs. Other activities may demonstrate how the chapter has
promoted the development of leadership skills for members and
others on campus and in the community. Phi Theta Kappa's
Leadership Development Studies Program may be used as the
basis for leadership development for the chapter and others. To be
competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their
Leadership Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (leadership
roles) and the secondary focus (leadership skills development) of
their Leadership Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to
describe the specific outcome of their Leadership Hallmark
program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well
as the growth of the chapter and others. – From www.ptk.org
~ 34 ~
The Service Hallmark
The Service Hallmark focuses on Phi Theta Kappa’s international
project. The project right now is Operation Green and promotes
making our planet a little greener.
Implementation of the current International Service
Program should be the primary focus of Service Hallmark
programs. Other service activities involving your campus, your
community and/or other chapters in or beyond your region may
also be included. To be competitive, chapters should be able to
clearly define their Service Hallmark goals for both the primary
focus (International Service Program) and the secondary focus
(other service activities) of their Service Hallmark program.
Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of
their Service Hallmark program, including who benefited and how
they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
– From www.ptk.org
Outstanding Individual Hallmark
In addition to the three fields for Hallmarks, each chapter needs
to nominate an outstanding individual that has shown the true spirit
of Phi Theta Kappa. This person can be an outstanding:
1. Member
2. Officer
3. President
4. Advisor w/ less than 5 yrs experience
5. Advisor w/ more than 5 yrs experience
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Other Awards
Rhonda Kekke Wall of Honor
This award is named after Rhonda Keeke, who was instrumental in
the creation of the Iowa Region of Phi Theta Kappa. It is given one
individual each year that demonstrates unparalleled service to Phi
Theta Kappa and embodies the principles this organization stands
for. Your name is engraved on a plague that hangs in the Art and
Humanities Office.
5-Star Status
This program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta
Kappa, serves as a blueprint for developing a strong chapter and
for earning local, regional, and international recognition. In this
program, chapters do not compete against one another.
Participation encourages excellence and recognizes progress in
the attainment of goals set by the chapter.
The Five Star Chapter Development Program is designed to
assist chapters in better organizing their projects and initiatives
starting with the basic elements of running a chapter in Level One
to becoming competitive in Phi Theta Kappa programming in
Level Five. Using this program, chapters can build a foundation to
leave a lasting legacy for future members as they strive to maintain
the level of excellence set by their predecessors.
Using the Five Star Chapter Development Program as a
guide to success, chapters can enhance their working relationship
with the college administration by becoming active on the campus
and in the community. On a personal level, involvement in the
program will educate chapter members in the importance of
deadlines and organizational skills. These skills will be critical as
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members complete their education and begin serving as
community leaders.
The term Five Star is interpreted as the peak of excellence
when rating products and services such as restaurants, automobiles
and hotels. The same holds true for chapters participating in Phi
Theta Kappa's Five Star Program. Chapters will gain recognition
for their success by meeting the higher standards of quality
programming that the term Five Star symbolizes.
The strength of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor
Society is determined by the achievements of chapters on the local
level. Recognition for these achievements provides reinforcement
and encourages a recommitment to chapter goals. By following the
steps in the Five Star Chapter Development Guide, chapters gain
recognition for their success on the local, regional and international
levels.
– From www.ptk.org
Pinnacle Award
The Pinnacle Award recognizes Phi Theta Kappa chapters
and regions for successfully enhancing their recruitment and
orientation strategies, as measured by the number of new members
reported to Headquarters in a given year.
The Pinnacle Award promotes increased awareness of Phi
Theta Kappa, and is designed to ensure that the benefits of Society
membership are fully understood by all eligible students.
– From www.ptk.org
The Distinguished Administrator Awards
The Distinguished Administrator Awards will be awarded to
community college vice presidents, deans, or leaders other than
college presidents/CEOs serving a community college in an
administrative capacity. Nominees should have served in their
position for at least two years as of the International Convention,
and should have demonstrated during their tenure a strong level of
support for the Society. Awards will be presented at the
International Convention to recipients who choose to attend, but
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may also be sent directly to the advisor of the nominating chapter
for presentation during an appropriate occasion. Up to 25
Distinguished Administrator Awards may be presented each year.
A college administrator may receive this award only once.
– From www.ptk.org
The Shirley B. Gordon Awards of Distinction
College presidents and campus CEOs are selected for this award
on the basis of outstanding efforts given toward promoting the
goals of Phi Theta Kappa. Applications cite specific ways the
president has demonstrated support for the chapter and the Society
as a whole. The recipients must agree to attend the Phi Theta
Kappa International Convention. As many as 25 Gordon Awards
may be presented annually. A college president or campus CEO
may receive this award only once.
–From www.ptk.org
The Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to
college presidents, campus CEOs at two-year or senior institutions,
and state community college directors who have been supportive
of Phi Theta Kappa, and are retiring from their careers. Recipients
are not required to attend the International Convention. Bennett
Awards will be presented at the Convention to recipients who
choose to attend, but the award may also be sent directly to the
advisor of the nominating chapter for presentation during an
appropriate occasion. An unlimited number of these awards may
be given.
-From www.ptk.org
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