Two PJC students on PTK All-Texas Academic Team
Published or Revised April 11, 2014
Paris Junior College students Andrew Bothwell (left) and Destiny Mullens (right), both of Paris, show the medals they received at a ceremony in Austin when they were recognized as making the Phi Theta Kappa All-Texas Academic Team. Originally among 1700 nominated nationwide for the All-USA Academic Team, they were among 103 selected for the All-Texas honor.
The academic achievement and community service of two Paris Junior College sophomores has received statewide recognition. Destiny Mullens and Andrew Bothwell, both of Paris, were recently named to the 2014 Phi Theta Kappa All-Texas Academic Team. PTK is the two-year college honor society.
The two were presented with medallions and certificates in the Auditorium at the LBJ Presidential Library on the University of Texas campus in Austin on March 28. Offering keynote remarks during for the ceremony was Representative Donna Howard, who serves on the House Higher Education Committee and the House Appropriations Committee where she works directly on higher education funding issues.
Each two-year college in Texas may nominate two students per campus to the All-USA Academic Team. Students from Texas nominated to the national team comprise the All-Texas Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.
To be named All-Texas, Bothwell and Mullins were among 1700 students nationwide nominated from 800 colleges to the All-USA Community College Academic Team.
“The ceremony was incredible,” said Mullens. ”You don’t realize what an accomplishment you’ve made until you’re there and they say there were 1700 All-USA applicants and we were among the 103 who made All-Texas.”
“We appreciate everything Ty did,” Mullens said, referring to PJC history instructor and PTK sponsor Ty Welborn. “He was very instrumental in helping with the application process and the essays.”
“It really surprised me to find out how many applicants there were,” said Bothwell. “We were up around the top five percent. I’ve never seen anything like that application in my life. It was very interesting.”
Mullens is majoring in biomedical sciences and hopes to transfer to Texas A&M University. She would like to finish medical school and have a career in medical research. She was named to the President’s List, is currently PTK Vice President, and plans to serve as PTK’s Region III alumni representative after she graduates in the spring.
Bothwell, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, is majoring in computer networking. He plans to transfer to Austin College for his bachelor’s degree, begin a career in the information technology industry, then pursue his master’s degree. He has been named to both the Dean’s and President’s List, was awarded the Literacy Council Scholarship, is a pledge of Delta Psi Omega (the theatre honor society), and currently serves as PTK liaison officer.
Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 32 states. The PTK chapter at PJC was established in 1934 and is celebrating their 80th anniversary.
