Phi Theta Kappa inducts 23 members

Published or Revised November 20, 2008

Twenty-three Paris Junior College students were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges, during ceremonies Wednesday, Nov. 19, in the McLemore Student Center Ballroom, according to Marsha Dennis, PJC English instructor and chapter advisor. Dr. Sherry Aaker, vice president of student services, welcomed the students, their families and friends and extended congratulations on their achievements. Caitlin Commiato and Ali Pry, members of the officer team, offered highlights of the past year's activities with special emphasis on the chapter's work with Relay for Life and research in support of the American Cancer Society. Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.7 million members and 1,100 chapters throughout the 50 states, territories, Canada and Germany. Allen Williams, chairman of the Social Science Department; Ruth Ann Alsobrook, government instructor; Toni McMillen, English instructor; and Dwight Chaney, dean of academic studies, were recognized as chapter advisors on the Paris campus. Phi Theta Kappa is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The Beta Zeta Chapter at PJC was begun in 1932 and has remained active since that time. To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed one regular semester at PJC, accumulated 12 semester hours, have a grade point average of 3.5, and be within the upper scholastic 10 percent of the regularly enrolled student body. Students inducted and their hometowns include: [b]Paris:[/b] Jennifer Cone, Frankie Foster, Deborah Sue Gray, Reagan Harrell, Marissa Hodgkiss, Dustin Jones, Tara Juergens, Lucille Kramer, Bracewell Polo, Stuart Schuhmann, Rachel Schweers, Ashley Shew, Juana Elizabeth Silva-Vazquez, and Alex Thompson [b]Arthur City:[/b] Bradley Kelley [b]Brookston:[/b] Sara Kirkpatrick [b]Cooper:[/b] Crystal Clark [b]Deport:[/b] Julia Lawrence [b]Pattonville:[/b] Kaysha Ballard [b]Powderly:[/b] Kathleen Batson, Sherry Williams [b]Reno:[/b] Shavon Lee Also inducted was Borge Klungerbo, an international student from Trondheim, Norway. Following induction ceremonies Julia Lawrance was pinned with the Phi Theta Kappa pin received by her mother 30 years ago. In comparing that pin with the pins the new inductees received, it was found the design remains very similar. Those attending joined the students in a reception following the formal ceremonies.