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Michael J. Whittaker
Staff Writer
First
off, I would like to welcome back all of the students and staff that make Iowa
Central a college second to none. There is something for everyone to get
involved with if they choose too. All of the organizations on campus have
different standards; PTK is set up to reward the elite for their academic
perseverance. Everyone enrolled in college is elite in their drive to achieve
success in their chosen career path. Membership in PTK is the standard for
academic achievements over and above the status quo. I am fortunate enough to
have had the opportunity to get a second chance at a secondary education,
something that I will never take for granted.
PTK is a
great organization to be involved with and your membership in Phi Theta
Kappa Honor Society will open new doors for your academic journey. The
organization offers a myriad of opportunities for scholarships, intellectual
enrichment and personal development through programs based on Phi Theta
Kappa’s four hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.
Lambda Kappa is the oldest chapter in Iowa, starting on April 27,
1961. In December 2003 we stepped up our role in the community and society
when we elected our first officers, started having meetings, and became more
involved in regional and international events.
The
students of Iowa Central have the opportunity to get involved with the
colleges honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, Lambda Kappa Chapter.
Anyone who has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 and has completed 12
semester hours is eligible.
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I have the
esteemed pleasure of being the President of PTK for the 2004/05 school
year. I am living proof that anyone can succeed, if you put your academic
success at the forefront of your goals at ICCC. I would like to thank and
acknowledge all of our advisors and committee Vice Presidents. Mr. Rick
Sandquist, located in the Triton Inn, ext. 2017, should not need further
introduction he is “the man with the plan.” He and Samantha McClain, Angie
Martin, Martha Bailey, Shelly Blunk, Tracey Sala, Courtney Jaeschke, Mary
Bennett and Paul Decoursey have devoted time and energy to help our schools
chapter succeed.
The Vice
Presidents in charge of the four hallmark committees are:
Ed Svaleson: Membership/Communication, Megan Horan: Scholarship, Kim Saufl:
Service,
Amanda
Schwering: Fundraising, and Michael Whittaker: Leadership/Fellowship.
We had our
first meeting on the 15th of September and have planned a meet
and greet in the Triton Inn on Wednesday the 29th of September
at 2:00 p.m. and again on
Thursday the 30th at 5:30 p.m.
During those 2 days you will get a chance to talk to the advisors and
committee chairs about the benefits of joining this elite, yet friendly
group of people. If you do not receive a letter from Ed Svaleson welcoming
you, and feel you should have, bring your transcripts showing you are within
the guidelines and you can join too. |
Phi Theta
Kappa’s membership investment is a one time application fee of $70.00,
which entitles you to more than $35 million in scholarships. Also the
online benefits of the PTK website at getconnected.ptk.org, where you will
be sent e-mails of scholarships you are eligible for. I have seen in the
last year what a huge benefit belonging to this prestigious Honor Society
has been to me and several other students who have moved on with
scholarships of $5,000 a semester and more, to their choice of 4 year
Universities and 4 year Colleges like Simpson’s.
On the
following Monday the 4th of October will be the time when
you can join and have pizza and pop in the student union at 3:00p.m., all
current members are also invited. There are several officer positions open
in committees and in the spring you will be able to get 1 credit
for being a member since PTK will be an actual class, with a meeting room
and a set 1 day a week meeting. There are a lot of things to do in regards
to PTK and membership does have its privileges. Everyone who can attend
please do, and talk to the advisors about the exciting agenda we have for
the year and see how you can benefit from being involved with this great
fraternity. Congratulations to all of the more than 350 new eligible
members, you deserve the recognition for your hard work and dedication to
community and your own academic success. Your achievements will only
continue to grow with the assistance of this great fraternity and its
member’s throughout the international community. |
