OTC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa receives more than a dozen honors at regional convention

Representatives from Ozarks Technical Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, recently returned from the organization’s annual Missouri Regional Convention with several awards in hand.  The students and advisors of the college’s chapter were honored with 15 awards, one regional officer position, and one advisory council position during the convention, held recently in St. Charles, Mo.

The honors received included the Distinguished Officer Team award, for chapter officers Chris White, Jake Lamkins, Dana Johnston, Keith Crisman and Kyle Vest, Distinguished Officer awards for Jake Lamkins and Dana Johnston, and a Distinguished Member award for Kalee Mitchell.  Additionally, Keith Crisman was elected to the position of Regional Vice President, the office previously held by Jake Lamkins. 

Several of the chapter’s advisors were also honored at the convention.  Early Childhood Education Department Chair Jo Fritts received the Continued Excellence in Advising award, and was named to the Missouri Region Advisory Council.  The Horizon Award for Distinguished Service to the Region was presented to Jo Fritts and to Steve Fritts, OTC’s Coordinator of Advisor Training and Development.  Dr. Sheila Taylor, Science instructor, received the Glaux Faculty Recognition award, and Dr. Hal Higdon, president of OTC, received the Distinguished College President award.

OTC’s chapter as a whole received the following awards:  Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Distinguished College Project, Distinguished Honors Study Topic Issue, Five Star Chapter, Icarus Award, and, most notably, Most Distinguished Chapter in the Missouri Region.

Representatives from the chapter will soon travel to the International Convention in Seattle, Wash., where they are now in the running for each of these awards at the international level. 

Phi Theta Kappa honors students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and places its emphasis on leadership, service, scholarship and fellowship.  Ozarks Technical Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa inducts new members twice each year, with the next ceremony planned for Sunday, March 13, at 3 p.m. at the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield.