FORT WORTH, Texas (March 30, 2016) – Tarrant County College earned special recognition this spring at the state convention of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.
The Texas region includes 89 chapters; more than half of them gathered in Waco in late February for the convention. TCC chapters, members, faculty and staff took home a variety of accolades—including a student Hall of Honor induction and the Most Distinguished Advisor award.
During the international Phi Theta Kappa convention in Maryland this April, the organization will recognize Northeast Campus student Jessica Alexander as a 2016 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. Southeast Campus students Maha Naveed and Saran Kaba will receive recognition as Bronze Scholars. The awards are based on scores in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, which included more than 1,900 applications from across the country this year. The program honors 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze winners annually. For their achievements, the students will receive scholarships sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
“TCC is extremely proud of all Phi Theta Kappa students and advisors, and I congratulate them on their continued success,” said Angela Robinson, acting chancellor for the TCC District. “Phi Theta Kappa members make great contributions to the College and our communities through their service and academic achievements, and it’s wonderful to see those accomplishments recognized on the state level.”
Phi Theta Kappa honored Trinity River Campus’ Beta Sigma Mu chapter with Three-Star Chapter status.
Rho Chi on South Campus attained recognition as a Five-Star Chapter. In addition, the chapter received the Honors in Action Award of Merit for environmental leadership and service learning.
Northwest Campus’ Alpha Delta Delta gained Five-Star Chapter status. Phi Theta Kappa inducted Joe Rode, vice president for student development services, to the Hall of Honor for College Administrators; Tony Roberts, professor of philosophy and religion, joined the Hall of Honor for Outstanding Advisors. The chapter also earned the Honors in Action Award of Merit for leadership and service-learning activities pertaining to their research topic of the quest for knowledge.
Southeast Campus’ Beta Delta Omicron was named one of Phi Theta Kappa’s Top Texas Chapters; it received Five-Star Chapter status as well. Shawna Gaccetta, Liberal Arts Division administrative assistant, won the Horizon Award for Advisors. Southeast Campus alumna and past District II Regional Vice President Julie Flickner, who serves as webmaster for the Texas region Phi Theta Kappa website and editor of the organization’s Texan blog, accepted the Regional Coordinator Award. The chapter was presented the Honors in Action Award of Distinction for leadership and service learning related to the environment, and Beta Delta Omicron will serve as the 2016-17 District II vice president for the Texas region.
Phi Tau at Northeast Campus achieved Top Texas Chapter and Five-Star Chapter recognition. Matthew Pandolfo, Phi Tau chapter vice president of leadership, was among 26 students across the state to be inducted into the Hall of Honor for Members. Shewanda Riley, assistant professor of English, was named the state’s Most Distinguished Advisor. Magdalena de la Teja, vice president for student development services, became a member of the Hall of Honor for College Administrators. Student Development Specialist Karen Raulerson received the Friends of Texas award, while Jeanell Buck, assistant professor of psychology, joined the Hall of Honor for Outstanding Advisors. The Phi Tau chapter won the convention’s poster contest and an Honors in Action Award of Merit for leadership and service-learning activities related to their research topic of artistic expression.
Phi Theta Kappa membership invitations are given to students who have a minimum 3.5 GPA for their most recent 12 credit hours as well as an overall GPA of at least 3.0, among other requirements. For more information, contact a campus Student Activities office.