Family, friends, NMC faculty, ASNMC president, and PTK members joined in the festivities at the Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret to honor the new inductees.
In order to qualify for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, students must distinguish themselves by maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, in addition to finding time to serve and contribute to our commonwealth through various community service and leadership activities.
The seven newest full members include students from the business and education majors: Kimberly Delos Reyes, Albert Indalecio, Min Sun Kim, Janel Pangelinan, Duane Sablan, Jeri May Tudela, and Victoria Tudela.
Also welcomed into the chapter was one new provisional member: Victoria Aldan.
The induction ceremony was carried out by the current PTK officers president Roxanne Ferrer, vice president Frances Santos-Hofschneider, recording secretary Patricia Matagolai, membership secretary Dyenina Diaz, and public relations secretary Stacey Demapan, treasurer Mindy Park, and advisor Larry Lee.
NMC faculty member Rik Villegas, a business instructor, gave an inspiring keynote address.
The formal induction ceremony was followed by a delicious buffet dinner.
An international organization, Phi Theta Kappa has recognized academic excellence in two-year colleges since 1918.
It is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in the 50 United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and Germany.
Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold: (1) to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students; and (2) to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
A particular feature of PTK is community service.
During this past year, PTK members have been actively involved in wiping out graffiti in the commonwealth by painting over graffiti-laden bus stops in Finasisu and Chalan Kiya.
In addition, the local chapter annually sponsors its Project Graduation: Feed a Body — Feed a Mind campaign during NMC’s commencement week.
Non-perishable food items and children’s books are collected for distribution to charities.
More than 600 senior institutions in 50 states and provinces provide more than $36 million in scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members who transfer from their respective community colleges to a four-year college or university to continue their education.
To date, NMC’s graduates have been awarded scholarships to continue their education at Hawaii Pacific University and at Syracuse University in New York.
