PTK Chapter Inducts New Members

West Shore Community College’s Alpha Phi Phi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honors Society welcomed new members during its annual induction ceremony, on Thursday evening, in the college’s Administrative & Conference Building.

The inductees were Sophia Bailey, Erika Bartosiewicz, Leah Boundy, Chantel Brown, Paul Durant, Aaron Facundo, Cynthia Fout, Anja Holland, Kassie Hook, Emma Howell, Rachel Huggard, Cassidy Jessup, Jonah Kelley, Lucia Kersten, Parker Knizacky, Brian Lafata, Jamie Lamb, Luciano Maniaci, Charity Nienhuis, Alex Pearson, Levi Roberson, Kyria Rowe, Sara Schaefer, Alexandra Sloan, Jamie Smith, Melony Smith, Sarah Stuck, Taylor Summers, Crystal Weirich, and Jocelyn White.

Dr. Mark Kinney, vice president of academics and student services and the keynote speaker during the ceremony, said the increasingly rapid pace of technological change will create exciting opportunities for the workforce of the future, but also some difficult challenges to confront.

“Virtually every industry is going to undergo a major shift in the way their work is performed in the next couple of decades, even more so than they already have. Students need to prepare themselves with skills that are adaptable to new work environments and that serve as a foundation for lifelong learning and growth.”

Kinney added, “Fortunately, groups like PTK create an environment where this type of personal development can occur, and the college is committed to ensuring that our learning opportunities are similarly adaptable to meet the needs of the future.”

PTK recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students and provides an opportunity for the development of leadership and service, an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, fellowship among scholars, and continuing academic excellence.

Members are eligible to receive some of more than $37 million in scholarships provided exclusively for PTK members. Members in the United States are also eligible to participate in the All-USA Academic Team program, co-sponsored by USA Today, and by extension their own state-wide academic teams. Members also receive automatic nominations to the National Dean’s List and job postings exclusively for Phi Theta Kappans.

More than two million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 100,000 students inducted annually.

The chapter PTK co-advisors are Renee Snodgrass, director of library services, and Jessica Houser, associate professor of psychology.

WSCC launched a PTK chapter in 1992, and through chapter and individual projects, members continue to serve the college and community.