Students selected for the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for two-year colleges exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.
Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated the induction of 95 students into the Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international honor society for two-year colleges.
To be eligible for this elite honor, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits, maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. Students recommended for PTK exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.
MCCC has two PTK chapters – Alpha Kappa Zeta at the Blue Bell Campus and Beta Tau Lambda at the Pottstown Campus. Both chapters have attained five-star status, the highest rank a chapter can earn. Dr. Catherine Parzynski, History Assistant Professor, and Dr. Cathy Hoult Shewring, History Professor, are the advisers for Alpha Kappa Zeta, and Douglas Powell, History Assistant Professor, and Meredith Frank, Communications Studies Instructor, are the advisers for Beta Tau Lambda.
The video ceremony started with a congratulatory message from MCCC’s sixth President, Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez.
“It is truly my honor to join you in celebrating your academic, leadership and service accomplishments at the College and in our communities,” President Bastecki-Perez said. “On behalf of the entire Montco Family, including our Board of Trustees, your fellow students, our faculty, staff and alumni of more than 65,000 members and, of course, myself, we are proud of your efforts and your continued work as you pursue your academic goals. Congratulations on a job well done.”
The inductees are joining a scholarly fellowship, said Dr. Parzynski, which extends beyond MCCC to regional and national networks. Founded in 1918, PTK officially was recognized by the American Association for Junior Colleges in 1925. Today, it has grown to include more than 700 regular and alumni chapters nationwide.
MCCC’s Alpha Kappa Zeta chapter started in 1985. This year’s officers are Emily Duggan, President; Katelyn Schuchardt, Vice President of Service; Darcy Mossholder, Vice President of Leadership; and Emilie McCarthy, Recording Officer.
As PTK members, MCCC students participate in the Honors in Action service program and will have access to transfer scholarships opportunities, receive member discounts and wear special regalia attire during commencement in recognition of their membership. Students may be inducted into the chapter for the fall semester through the end of 2021.
The Alpha Kappa Zeta inductees for fall 2021 to date include:
Maria Abdallaoui, Norristown
Adem Aydin, Willow Grove
Ruby Baker, Norristown
Oluwatosin Bankole, Gilbertsville
Charles Barsky, Plymouth Meeting
Cami Beaver, Plymouth Meeting
Lyndsie Bechtel, Norristown
Rebecca Beneroff, Ambler
Jessica Bergey, Hatfield
Emily Bruni, Ambler
Meghan Burns, Skippack
Christina Carcaci, North Wales
Brendan Cartin, Hatboro
Gabe Claypoole, Pottstown
James Coladonato, Audubon
Amanda Currie, Marcus Hook
Madison Curry, Lansdale
Shari Davis, Abington
Sufyan Davis-Arrington, Lansdale
William Donahue, Benton
Laura Elofer, Lake Worth
Jennifer Fanega, Lafayette Hill
Ana Fejzaj, Norristown
Mason Fichtner, Gilbertsville
Bailey Funkhouser, Pottstown
Christopher Granahan, Hatboro
Elaina Grando, Schwenksville
Emily Guicheteau, Oreland
Jodie Gunster, North Wales
Charlotte Haggerty, Philadelphia
Andrea Haines, Lansdale
Hailey Hinkle, Colmar
Andrea Hoffman-Zahm, Bridgeport
Tony Jalcs, Collegeville
Cynthia Jerdan, Telford
Chanel Jones, Darby
Evan Kaminsky, Horsham
Madison Kerper, Jeffersonville
Evan Kohlbus, Lansdale
Deanna Kuik, Lansdale
Matthew Kuznicki, King of Prussia
Nina Kuznicki, King of Prussia
James Laskey, Kingston
Emily Lessie, Pottstown
Mia Levenberg, Souderton
Mariana Linares, Norristown
Robert Livingston, North Wales
Joanne Malandra, Norristown
Karen Manson, Elkins Park
Joebanna Martineau, Royersford
Grace McGinnis, Ardmore
Lauren Meter, Collegeville
Briana Miller, Pennsburg
Stephanie Miller, Quakertown
Isabella Monteiro, Willow Grove
William Moser, King of Prussia
Heather Myers, Sellersville
Gadisa Negi, Norristown
Isabella Ngov, Oreland
Dhruv Patel, Souderton
Ann Pecoraro, Harleysville
Linda Pellegrino, Oreland
Zion Perry, Willow Grove
Kyle Petras, Blue Bell
Abigail Pietrak, Gilbertsville
Rocco Pistilli, Oreland
Giuseppe Preziosi, King of Prussia
Zachary Raugh, Boyertown
Kelly Regan, Fort Washington
Heather Reitnauer, Gilbertsville
Payton Ridenour, Pottstown
Elizabeth Rivera, Philadelphia
Patrick Robertson, Philadelphia
Rachel Roomberg, Wayne
Emma Rose, Roslyn
Daniel Ryan, Norristown
Devin Santo, Blue Bell
Kasey Schwalje, Willow Grove
Jennifer Seifert, Lafayette Hill
Morgan Sitasz, Horsham
Jacob Snyder, Willow Grove
Brianne Swope, Sumneytown
Victoria Valerio Lopez, Skippack
Jennifer Walker, Barto
Samantha Walsh, Glenside
Autumn Ward, Abington
Michael Ward, Ardmore
Shaya Watson, Norristown
Tania Watson, Spring City
Felicity Weller, Plymouth Meeting
Maria Wilson, Bryn Mawr
Carolyn Wombough, Skippack
Yuzhao Xie, Conshohocken
Christopher Young, Hatfield
Corina Zuniga, Hatboro
After the ceremony, Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the students on their achievements.
“The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students as well as to provide opportunities for growth as scholars and leaders,” said Dr. Oikelome. “I am a firm believer in that it takes a village to achieve your goals, and as we conclude today’s ceremony, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the individuals in the Montco village – faculty, staff, friends, family, PTK advisers – thank you for all that you do for our inductees as they pursue their academic and career pathways.”