Twenty-two students were inducted into Williamson’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society’s Beta Chi Mu chapter in the 6th annual induction ceremony in Rowan Hall’s Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel on April 18.
The students are: senior Konnor Oreskovich; juniors: Ivan Bienkowski, Damien Ronan, Victor Valentine, Gabriel Walsh, Jack Welsh, and Jack Wooten; and freshmen: Jared Bartholomew, Dylan Brophy, Colin Catrambone, Joseph Collachi, Keenan Curley, Gabriel McGlinchey, Shane McLaughlin, Landon Nott, Xavier Roberts, Brodey Shappell, James Spicer, Chase Thompson, Rahnier Townsend, Hudson Turner, and Roger Walters.
In his welcoming remarks, President Michael Rounds said “We are proud to be a member of this great organization. Excellence and service are two of our core values and this induction ceremony recognizes these two core values. Tonight, we celebrate a great achievement.”
Then Rev. Dr. Mark Specht 7W7 gave the invocation followed by Olivia Martinez, associate vice president of academic affairs and registrar, introducing the keynote speaker, Dr. Samuel Wrightson, the former vice president of academic affairs and dean of education. Wrightson founded Williamson’s PTK chapter in 2018.
to the students, Wrightson said, “You were born with a purpose and many things determine the focus of what your life is going to be. PTK wants to help you develop your leadership and your service to others so you can be a servant leader. Williamson’s mission prepares you to be respected leaders and productive members of society. This fits together nicely with the purpose of PTK. Education, leadership, and service are the values of PTK. Faith, integrity, diligence, excellence, and service are the values of Williamson. These values will have an impact on who you are and who you are becoming. These values will push you to develop your talents as much as possible. They will drive you to become as good a person as you can be in the many roles you will have throughout your life. Take advantage of becoming members of PTK and embrace those values. Become the best possible version of who you can be.”
Then, Dr. Michelle Williams, vice president of academic affairs/chief academic officer, led the induction of the new members. “You are about to be inducted into a scholarly fellowship which embraces community colleges. Remember, success does not come to you, you go to it.”
As she said the name of each inductee, he came up to the stage, signed the chapter record book, and lit a candle, forming the torch of knowledge.
The ceremony closed with the new inductees singing the first verse of the PTK official song.
PTK, the largest honor society in American higher education, has over two million members and 1,200 chapters in all 50 states and several countries. PTK was founded in 1918 to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students. Its mission is to recognize the academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized PTK as the official honor society of two-year colleges.
