Southwestern Community College (SWCC) hosted its spring 2020 induction for the Beta Eta Nu chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) virtually on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 5:30 p.m.
Beta Eta Nu chapter officers for 2020-21 took their oaths of office during the ceremony. Incoming officers include Jill Wallace of Greenfield, president; Tessa Powers of Creston, vice president; and Riley Beard of Diagonal, vice president.
Outgoing Beta Eta Nu officers, who were also in attendance at the virtual ceremony, included Ella Rutherford of Niantic, Illinois, president; Chase Miner of Leon, vice president of leadership; Royce Bernard of Creston, vice president of scholarship; and Sadie Green of Creston, vice president of service.
New Phi Theta Kappa inductees for the spring 2020 semester (as of May 1, 2020) include Yasmeen Abushawish of St. Charles, Silvia Alberti of Greenfield, Lauryn Christensen of Creston, Eric Desbois of Brooklin, Ontario, Canada, Harrison Galea of Creston, Eric Garcia-March of Clarinda, Brooke Gordon-Page of Orient, Brooke Halterman of Panora, Julia Hansen of Bridgewater, Abby Harper of Afton, Brooklyn Herr of Winterset, Kayla Jensen of Neola, Isabel Jordison of Creston, Jessica Kelley of Afton, Yelyzaveta Kostiuk of Osceola, Emma Mischel of Tucson, Arizona, Sydney Pantini of Creston, Lindsay Rader of Joplin, Missouri, John Shields of Mount Ayr, Kelsey Tibbs of Earlham, and Christy White of Mount Union.
During the ceremony, Jody Nedley-Newcomb, SWCC sociology instructor and advisor for the PTK chapter, spoke about the value in becoming a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Nedley-Newcomb told inductees PTK offers invaluable scholarship opportunities at the community college level, as well as when it comes time for transfer from SWCC to the four-year colleges and universities of their choice. Nedley-Newcomb asked the graduating PTK officers to tell new members about scholarships they have received for transfer in the fall.
Phi Theta Kappa International serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students worldwide. To be eligible for membership, students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above. SWCC Phi Theta Kappa advisors are Jody Nedley-Newcomb, Justin Mann, and Kelly Marcus.
###