Ozarks Technical Community College’s Alpha Psi Tau Chapter has been named a 2018 REACH Chapter by Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. The organization’s REACH Rewards program recognizes and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters that excel in the area of membership development.
As a result of the REACH award, OTC’s Alpha Psi Tau Chapter will receive 42 Phi Theta Kappa graduation stoles. The stoles will be worn by chapter officers or members at the college’s commencement ceremony in May.
OTC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter typically inducts 300 students on an annual basis. Last year, the chapter inducted 591 new members. Steve Fritts, the chapter’s co-advisor, says the significant increase in new members is directly related to a recent decision made by OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon.
“Dr. Higdon made it possible for our students to join Phi Theta Kappa at no cost,” said Fritts. “And by paying for our members’ induction fees, more students can reap the benefits of joining such an outstanding organization.”
Phi Theta Kappa sets a $60 one-time membership fee, but a one-time regional fee is also added, and individual chapters may add local fees to help cover expenses, which makes the average cost of induction $85.
“With the leadership opportunities and professional development that Phi Theta Kappa provides, I didn’t want the membership fees to discourage qualified students from joining the organization,” said Dr. Higdon. “Eliminating the membership fees allows for all eligible students to have the opportunity.”
Students who join Phi Theta Kappa have the opportunity to apply for more than $37 million in exclusive scholarships each year. Members can also develop their research and servant leadership skills by participating in Honors in Action programming through their local chapter. A complete list of Phi Theta Kappa member benefits can be found at ptk.org.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territorial possessions and eight sovereign nations. More than three million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually.