Phi Theta Kappa

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Phi Theta Kappa
ΦΘΚ
FoundedNovember 19, 1918; 105 years ago (November 19, 1918)
Stephens College
TypeHonorary
ScopeInternational
Colors  Blue and   Gold
SymbolGolden key, Athena, oak leaves, laurel leaves
FlowerWhite rose
Patron Greek divinityAthena
Chapters1,275+
Members3.5 million+ lifetime
HallmarksScholarship, Leadership, Service, Fellowship
Headquarters1625 Eastover Drive
Jackson, Mississippi 39211
United States
WebsiteOfficial website

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (ΦΘΚ or PTK) is an international honor society of students seeking associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, or other college credentials. Its headquarters are in Jackson, Mississippi and it has more than 3.5 million members in nearly 1,300 chapters in ten nations.

History[edit]

Phi Theta Kappa originated from Kappa Phi Omicron, an honor society established in 1910 at Stephens College in Missouri, a two-year college for women. As similar honor societies formed in Missouri, the college presidents and students of eight Missouri women's colleges came together in 1918 to create a single honor society—Phi Theta Kappa.

Phi Theta Kappa's mission is to recognize community college students' academic achievement and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Phi Theta Kappa was named after Phi Beta Kappa and modeled after many aspects of the senior college honor society. Its first chapter was chartered at St. Joseph Junior College in Missouri, in 1926. The first chapter chartered outside Missouri was at Northeast Junior College in Oklahoma.

On November 19, 1929, Phi Theta Kappa petitioned the American Association of Junior Colleges (now the American Association of Community Colleges) to be recognized as an official national honor society for junior colleges, alongside Phi Rho Pi and others. While not historically accurate, Phi Theta Kappa now celebrates its "Founder's Day" on November 19 each year.

In 1930, Margaret Mosal was elected as the first National President of Phi Theta Kappa.[1] Mosal oversaw the operations of Phi Theta Kappa from a makeshift office in the back of her husband's hardware store, where she notably stored all of the organization's records in a shoebox. In 1953, she moved the operations of Phi Theta Kappa to her home, underscoring the meager beginnings in the first fifty years of the society[2]

The society's second National President, Rod Risley, first joined Phi Theta Kappa as a student, becoming National President in 1974, and subsequently joined as an employee in 1977.[3] His career culminated in over three decades as Executive Director[4][5] and CEO, during which he was recognized in the AACC Hall of Fame in 2008.[6] However, Risley's tenure was overshadowed by serious allegations[7] and further controversy regarding his retirement compensation.[8] Following claims of sexual harassment, intimidation, and unprofessional behavior from two former student international officers[9][10], Risley took a paid leave of absence. These allegations prompted the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors to initiate an investigation.[11][12] Despite this ongoing investigation, Risley announced his retirement, leading to the premature termination of the inquiry.[13][14] Additionally, his abrupt retirement was marked by a multi-million dollar compensation package, which cast further doubt on the legitimacy and governance practices of Phi Theta Kappa. This decision left the allegations unresolved and raised significant concerns about accountability and transparency within Phi Theta Kappa. Risley's departure from the organization thus remains marred by these unresolved accusations and the substantial retirement payout, casting a shadow on his legacy and impacting the integrity of Phi Theta Kappa's leadership.[15]

The society has experienced embezzlement.[16] Robin Lowe, a former advisor for the PTK chapter at Itawamba Community College, was charged with embezzlement in February 2024.[17][18][19] Lowe is accused of converting public funds meant to benefit the PTK chapter for her own personal use. Lowe was the chapter advisor for Phi Theta Kappa for 15 years, from 2008 to May of 2023. [20] [21][22][23][24][25]

Symbols[edit]

Phi Theta Kappa is named after Phi Beta Kappa, and it was modeled after many aspects of the senior college honor society. The society adopted blue and gold, the golden key insignia, and modeled the name directly after Phi Beta Kappa. While similar in name, color scheme, and symbols, it is important to note that no formal relationship between the two societies has ever existed. The Greek letters "Phi Theta Kappa" stand for phronimon, thumos, and katharotes, meaning "wisdom," "aspiration," and "purity." Its members are referred to as "Phi Theta Kappans." The first membership pin was designed in 1921: a blue triangle containing three Greek letters surrounded by pearls. The distinctive gold key[26] membership pin was adopted in 1930 and features a black enamel band upon which the three Greek letters appear. Behind the band is a wreath composed of oak leaves on one side, denoting stability and strength of character, and laurel on the other side, signifying achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light, the light of learning, and knowledge.

The colors of the society are blue for scholarship and gold for purity.

Activities[edit]

Phi Theta Kappa offers transfer scholarships for its members and scholarships to help members complete associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees and to help workforce-bound member pay for certification costs.[27][28][29] The society publishes the literary journal Nota Bene, Civic Scholar: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Undergraduate Research, and Change Makers: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Student Leadership.[30][31][32][33] PTK also offers an online program to help students develop job skills.

Membership[edit]

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation.[34][35] Students must complete twelve hours of coursework toward an associate degree, six hours toward a one-year certificate, or twelve hours toward a bachelor's degree and have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) according to the society bylaws.[34]. Members are required to pay a membership fee.[35]

Notable members[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Founded by feisty females, PTK Honor Society continues to serve Craig and Rangely". craigdailypress.com. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Phi Theta Kappa Visionary 2008" (PDF). ptk.org. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  3. ^ "Phi Theta Kappa Visionary 2009" (PDF). ptk.org. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "MGCCC to graduate largest number of students tonight at Mississippi Coast Coliseum". gulflive.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Exec. Dir. Phi Kappa Alpha gives Darton commencement speech". wfxl.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "AACC Community College Leadership Hall of Fame". AACC.nche.edu. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  7. ^ "Board of Directors Responds To Allegations". ptk.org. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ^ "Honor Society Director Faces Allegations". insidehighered.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  9. ^ "Victoria woman claims sexual harassment in honor society". victoriaadvocate.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Phi Theta Kappa director faces harassment allegations". theskylineview.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "Phi Theta Kappa's Board on Harassment Allegations". insidehighered.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  12. ^ "Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors Provides New Statement". ptk.org. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ^ "Honor Society Leader Steps Down". insidehighered.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  14. ^ "Honor society director retires amid sexual harassment allegations". clarionledger.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  15. ^ "Former MGCCC administrator named CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society". gulflive.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Honor society advisor at Mississippi community college arrested for embezzlement". WLBT.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  17. ^ "Former Itawamba Community College Honor Society Advisor Arrested for Embezzlement". Mississippi Office of the State Auditor. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  18. ^ "Former ICC honor society advisor charged with embezzlement". djournal.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Former Mississippi community college honor society advisor charged with embezzlement". wjtv.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Former honors society advisor at ICC charged with embezzlement". Wtva.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Former honor society advisor at Itawamba Community College arrested for embezzlement". supertalk.fm. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  22. ^ "Former Itawamba Community College Honor Society Advisor Arrested for Embezzlement". vicksburgnews.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  23. ^ "Former ICC honor society advisor faces embezzlement charge". WCBI.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "Former ICC honor society advisor charged with embezzlement". Yahoo News. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "FORMER ITAWAMBA COMMUNITY COLLEGE HONOR SOCIETY ADVISOR ARRESTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT". starherald.net. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  26. ^ "Graphic Standards". ptk.org. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  27. ^ "PTK Student Receives Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Scholarship". Quinsigamund Community College. April 26, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Twenty Bright Stars: This Year's All-USA Academic Team Scholarship Recipients Named". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "The University of Arizona Global Campus Partners with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to Provide Tuition Benefits to Members, Employees" (Press release). University of Arizona Global Campus. November 22, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021 – via PR News Wire.
  30. ^ Cardine, Sara (October 27, 2021). "Orange Coast College grad named first Phi Theta Kappa International Poet Laureate". LA Times. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  31. ^ "Nota Bene". Phi Theta Kappa. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  32. ^ "Civic Scholar". Phi Theta Kappa. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "Change Makers". Phi Theta Kappa. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Constitution & Bylaws". Phi Theta Kappa. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "FAQs". Phi Theta Kappa. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  36. ^ "Evan Edinger | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "Carol Mas Phi Theta Kappa certificate". web.archive.org. April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Wayback Machine.
  38. ^ "COA student named to All-California Academic Team" (PDF). College of Alameda. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2008.

External links[edit]

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