College's PTK Chapter Repeats Success
Thomas Nelson's chapter of PTK had reasons to celebrate at a regional conference. (Photo courtesy of Valerie Burge-Hall)
Thomas Nelson's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society faced many challenges the past year. One of those was a positive challenge: trying to continue a run of excellence.
That challenge was met, as the College earned six awards at the recent regional conference, including receiving prestigious 5-star status.
"It was definitely a lot of pressure," said Amy Gonzalez, chapter president. "Everybody pitched in when they could, and we got it again."
The organization has been recognized as a 5-star chapter three consecutive years.
"A lot of the things we did last year, we were repeaters this year, which was pretty cool," said Valerie Burge-Hall, the chapter's adviser.
The news comes as the group prepares for this year's induction ceremonies, which are scheduled for April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center. The guest speaker is A.C. Cordoza, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates who represents the 91st district (Hampton, Poquoson, York County). It's the first in-person ceremony since 2019, and those inducted virtually in 2020 and 2021 are welcome to participate.
With in-person events now returning, Gonzalez said, "It's almost like a whole new world."
Burge-Hall said she hopes the chapter can have a face-to-face fellowship event later in the month to recruit new members and as a send-off to those who won't be returning next year.
Gonzalez said she was most proud of the group's teamwork in winning all those awards.
"We really do have a great group of leadership here," she said, adding all the bonds and friendships former were keys to success. "I couldn't have done it all by myself."
Gonzalez has been the president for about a year, and was the secretary about a year before that. She will stay on for another semester, and help with the leadership transition. However, she's not worried about that.
"We're a really good group," she said.
In addition to the awards, secretary Anastasia Whitley was named to the All-USA Academic Team sponsored by Cengage, the American Association of Community Colleges, and Phi Theta Kappa. Out of more than 2,000 students nominated, only 20 were chosen.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the international honor society of students attending two-year institutions. It has more than 3.5 million members in nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations.
REGIONAL HALLMARK AWARDS
(Covers 47 chapters in West Virginia and Virginia)
- Distinguished Chapter Officer Team: third place;
- Distinguished Adviser Award: Valerie Burge-Hall;
- Distinguished College Project: third place; "Promoting Mental Wellness"
- Distinguished Theme Award: First place, Natural and Constructed Environments;
- Continued Excellence Chapter (5-star last year, 5-star this year): Thomas Nelson was one of eight chapters so honored;
- Distinguished Chapter Award: third place.