Local Phi Theta Kappa honor society brings home 12 awards
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 28, 2004 2:09 PM
Wayne Community College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society won a dozen awards at its regional conference.
The Upsilon Chi chapter earned Five Star certification, the highest level possible. According to chapter adviser Gene Smith, fewer than 10 percent of all chapters receive the five-star rating.
Having risen from a zero-star chapter last year, Upsilon Chi was recognized with the region's "Most Improved Chapter Award."
It was also one of six out the 77 chapters in the Carolinas Region to win the "Carolinas Super Star Award" for scholarship, service, leadership and fellowship.
The chapter received the "Carolinas Clover Challenge -- Helping Kids Conquer Cancer Award." Among other activities, the chapter contributed $100 to Camp Happy Days for children diagnosed with cancer.
It also garnered the "Carolinas Super Star Award," a service and participation award based on the number of service projects and attendance at meetings and workshops
Named to the "Carolinas Hall of Honor" were Shannon Davenport, president, and Brenda Vinson, recording secretary, both nominated by their fellow chapter members. Gene Smith received the "Horizon Advisor Award" for good communication with the region leaders, and "Distinguished Advisor Award Honorable Mention" based on his chapter's nomination.
The chapter earned $500 in scholarships toward next year's workshops and conferences.
Participating in the PTK International Service Program partnership with the American Cancer Society, the chapter conducted a number of service projects this year, including providing cancer information and sunscreen to participants in the college foundation's 2003 golf tournament, collecting 500 yogurt lids worth $50 for the Susan Komen G. Breast Cancer Foundation, and holding a cancer awareness seminar with lectures and informational displays, which was attended by 500 people from the campus and community.
"We're trying to maintain this level of accomplishment," said Gene Smith. "When we started planning the symposium, I thought it was too much. The day of it was more than I had envisioned."
Other activities included a civil servant appreciation day last spring, providing a meal for emergency services personnel, a number of bake sales and raffles that gave the chapter the funds to do things like send 10 members to the regional meeting, and collecting items for needy families at Christmas.
Smith said that everything the chapter accomplished and the awards were the result of a team effort.
"Even if we hadn't won these awards, we've already been rewarded by the way we've touched the community," he said.