Representatives from Ozarks Technical Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students, have returned from the organization’s regional convention with several awards in hand. The students, advisors and alumni of Alpha Psi Tau were honored with 16 awards and four regional officer positions at the convention, held March 23-24 in Branson, Missouri.
The honors received included the Distinguished Chapter Officer award for Len Willits and the Distinguished Officer Team award for Anna Strait-Schmitz, Len Willits, Hannah Redden, Adam Cassidy, and Logan McReynolds. Jayme Handley was named a Distinguished Chapter Member, while Jo and Steve Fritts received the Distinguished Advisor Team and Continued Excellence in Advising awards.
The Glaux Faculty award went to Dr. Matthew Hernando. OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon was named to the Hall of Honor for College Presidents and Vicki MacDonald was named to the Hall of Honor for Individuals. Bree Pierfelice and Alan Roberts received the Alumni Award of Appreciation.
As a whole, the chapter received the Most Distinguished Chapter in the Region, Distinguished Chapter, Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Distinguished Theme and Distinguished College Project awards.
The chapter was also named a Five Star Chapter. Hannah Redden, Jon Donigan, Jayme Handley, Len Willits received the Five Star Competitive Edge award.
In addition, the following students were elected to regional offices:
Sarah Rife, New Regional President
Igho Ekakitie, New Regional Vice President
Leroy Barker, Missouri Alumni Association President
Micki Barker, Missouri Alumni Association Secretary
Representatives from the chapter will soon travel to the 100th Anniversary Catalyst Convention in Kansas City, where they are now in the running for each of these awards at the state level.
About Phi Theta Kappa
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.