26 Students Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Twenty-six students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel on April 21st. Following COVID safety measures, the ceremony was livestreamed.

Inductees were, from the Class of 2W2: Ryan Fallon, Matthew Hennessy, Dennis McElhone, James Openshaw, Raymere Stewart, Aaron Tallman, and Colin Weber.

The Class of 2W3: James Basler, Christopher Boc, Jacob Fallon, Ian Hampton, Brandon Jessup, Deonte Jones, Nicholas Lafazia, James Mack, Joshua McMahon, Matteo Scalfaro, Keith Shoenberger.

The Class of 2W4: Michael Herbert, Elijah Kyle, Carlos Lugardo, Christopher Meiklejohn, William Mott, Steven Torres, Patrick Welsh, Alexander Whiteman.

In his welcoming remarks, President Michael Rounds said the honor society was brought to Williamson in 2018 by Dr. Samuel Wrightson, who was the vice president of education from 2015-20, and his wife Mady. “PTK was founded in 1918 to recognize academic achievement, leadership, and service at associate degree-granting colleges and has grown to be the nation’s largest honor society. We are proud to have Williamson be a part of this great organization that stresses excellence and service, two of our five core values.”

Chaplain Mark Specht 7W7 gave the invocation and Olivia Martinez, associate vice president of academic affairs, introduced Wrightson, the keynote speaker. “Dr. Wrightson graduated from West Point, had a long, distinguished career in the Army in special forces, and then had a long career in education”

Wrightson told the inductees that the reasons for joining PTK are recognition, leadership, opportunities, service, and the available scholarships to members.

“You should take advantage of PTK to be the best version of who you can be. You are well qualified academically and have good character.”

He encouraged the inductees to make contact with other PTK chapters, run for office in PTK, use your membership to network, and be involved in service.

“If a classmate is struggling academically, help him out. If a classmate is considering dropping out of Williamson, help him out. Take advantage of all that PTK offers.”

Dr. Michelle Williams, vice president of academic affairs/chief academic officer, then said, “The induction ceremony begins now. These students have fulfilled all the requirements for membership and they have been recommended for acceptance into the Beta Chi Mu chapter of PTK.

“You are about to be inducted into a scholarly fellowship. Success does not come to you, you go to it.”

Each student then signed the chapter record book and lit a candle they were holding, forming the torch of knowledge.

The ceremony ended with the singing of the PTK official song.