HCC PHI THETA KAPPA MEMBERS INDUCTED FOR FALL ‘07

New members of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Alpha Eta Phi Chapter were inducted, Nov. 15. Pictured are (front row from left) Rodrigo Martinez, Ray Broady, (second row) Veronica Silver and Alice High, (third row) Sonya Johnson, Kelley Cox, Lakia Langford, (fourth row) Christina Aycock, Shaun Stokes, Johnnie Stevenson, (fifth row) Rebecca Simmons, Dr. Julie Galvin, Sherry Agee, (top) Brandon Bryant, Dr. Joy Cooley, Latonia Vincent, Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., and Barbara Smith. Not pictured: Mary Braswell, Jeneane Drewette, Brenda Jenkins, Kathryn Robinson, and Christopher Tkacik.

Halifax Community College (HCC) held a Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society Induction Ceremony, Nov. 15. The Alpha Eta Phi Chapter welcomed 13 new and three honorary members into the honor society.

New members include Christina Aycock, Mary Braswell, Brandon Bryant, Kelley Cox, Jeneane Drewette, Brenda Jenkins, Sonya Johnson, Rodrigo Martinez, Kathryn Robinson, Veronica Silver, Rebecca Simmons, Christopher Tkacik, and Latonia Vincent. Honorary inductees are Dr. Joy Cooley, Dr. Julie Galvin and Shaun Stokes.

Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr., president of HCC and an honorary member of PTK, was the guest speaker. His message focused on leadership. “A good leader is authentic,” said Griffin. “In order to learn how to lead, you also have to learn how to follow.”

He encouraged students to learn about their own strengths and weaknesses and to keep their finances in order. He also urged them to have a plan and be patient. “You can reach your goals. You will succeed, but it will take energy and determination. It takes planning, but most of all, it takes the first step. You have to take the first step,” said Griffin.

The Alpha Eta Phi Chapter was chartered at HCC on April 1, 1982. Since then, the chapter has inducted more than 400 members. To qualify for membership, students must be enrolled in an associate degree program and must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (full-time) and 3.7 (part-time). Students must be of good moral character and possess recognized qualities of leadership.

Currently, PTK is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members and 1,200 chapters. It was established in Missouri by two-year college presidents in 1918, and serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming.