Phi Theta Kappa induction held at PJC

Published or Revised April 19, 2013

A steady stream of extra chairs was needed in the Paris Junior College Student Center Ballroom Sunday to accommodate an overflow crowd of friends and family present at a student induction ceremony into the Beta Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. Vice President of Academic Studies Dwight Chaney drew laughs as he welcomed the crowd. "There has been a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Paris Junior College since 1932," he said. "I was not here at the time. Most people assume that I was, but I assure you that was not the case." Chaney explained the history of PTK since 1918, its worldwide recognition, and how a gold PTK seal is placed on the student's diploma to demonstrate their academic accomplishments. PJC English instructor and PTK advisor Marsha Dennis welcomed the crowd and gave additional information about the organization. Dennis and fellow advisors Allen Williams, history instructor, and Jay Strickland, off-campus librarian, explained symbols of the society. Featured speaker was Susan Gossett, a 2005 PJC alumna and PTK member. After working 29 years in retail sales and management positions, she came to PJC at age 47. She explained such challenges as being unfamiliar with modern software programs and academic and scientific advancements. "I found a sense of belonging and a sense of community at PJC," Gossett said. "I found an environment and faculty that was dedicated to my success, but I also found that they challenged me in areas of critical thinking, teamwork, communication, empirical and quantitative skills, and also in social responsibilities. The skills I took from Paris Junior College were not a disadvantage to me they were an advantage. It took me far above many of my classmates, both in my master's and bachelor's degrees." Having subsequently obtained her B.S. and M.Ed., Gossett is now an adjunct instructor at Paris Junior College and Texas A&M University-Commerce. PTK offers $37 million in transfer scholarships to more than 700 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and online. Members are also eligible to apply for scholarships and award programs to assist them with costs of attending two-year schools. Students who are in PTK also have opportunities to develop qualities of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. As each new member's name was read, the students lit their candle of light and learning and signed the official membership book. Students inducted and their hometowns include: [b]Alba, Texas:[/b] Ashley St. John [b]Arlington, Texas:[/b] Jeremy Salas [b]Bedford, Texas:[/b] Mitchell Bro [b]Bagwell, Texas:[/b] Deborah Castleman [b]Blossom, Texas:[/b] Edward Holloway [b]Bogata, Texas:[/b] William Burge, Alicia Hammond, [b]Brashear, Texas:[/b] Stephanie Rutledge [b]Brookston, Texas:[/b] Lucy Enns, Mason Morrow [b]Caddo Mills, Texas:[/b] Christa Fowler Marguerite Fowler [b]Campbell, Texas:[/b] Tammy Brent [b]Cedar Park, Texas:[/b] Lauren Hamaker [b]Celeste, Texas:[/b] Victoria Byers, Tammie Tipps [b]Commerce, Texas:[/b] Jenny Horn, Amanda Taylor [b]Cumby, Texas:[/b] Mitchell Wheat [b]Emory, Texas:[/b] Dallas Kip, Jessie Shearer [b]Farmer's Branch, Texas:[/b] Nichole Barker [b]Greenville, Texas:[/b] Keeran Cook, Anthony De Leon, Jonathan Fredrickson, Gary George, Anna Hillman, Laura Hubbs, Jamie Jacks, Zoe McKinney, Jeramy Parrish, Amanda Vanhuss, Alyssa Vroman, and Ashton Williams [b]Houston, Texas:[/b] Justin Eckols, [b]Katy, Texas:[/b] Jacqueline Ashmore [b]Mesquite, Texas:[/b] Samantha Reynoso [b]Paris, Texas:[/b] Heather Detwiler, Nicholas Edenhoffer, Norman (Wes) Farrell, Marianna Ford, Audrey Harmon, Shanice Hill, Haley Hughes, Robin Mallory, Latisha Perez, Bruce Schepis, Sharon Stell, Laura Vaughn, Brittany Viehe, and Fancy Woods [b]Pickton, Texas:[/b] Kaitlyn Hankins [b]Plano, Texas:[/b] Matthew Johnson [b]Powderly, Texas:[/b] Macy Bryant, [b]Quinlan, Texas:[/b] Ruger Carstens, Karen Collett, Andrea Corrales, Jimmy Crow, Catherine Nichols, Barry Smith, [b]Reno, Texas:[/b] Christie Sefcik [b]Royse City, Texas:[/b] Jaime Kilmer [b]Roxton, Texas:[/b] Jennifer Davis, S[b]herman, Texas:[/b] Sarah Hagan [b]Shreveport, La.:[/b] Harrison Spruiell [b]Sulphur Springs, Texas:[/b] Cristian Bacio, Malisa Beck, Allissa Figueroa, Brady Fisher, Kathy Froneberger, Devyn Ibarra, Sy Lucas, Meleeta Morris, Joy Nichols, Josephine Reed, [b]Sumner, Texas:[/b] Christina Pilkington [b]Texarkana, Texas:[/b] Mathew Lusk [b]Trenton, Texas:[/b] Mary O'Connor [b]Wills Point, Texas:[/b] Sarah Head [b]Wolfe City, Texas:[/b] Cindy Oliver