Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated the induction of 36 students into the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international honor society for two-year colleges for the spring 2025 semester during a special ceremony on the Pottstown Campus.

To be eligible for this elite honor, students must complete a minimum of 12 credits, earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. PTK members exemplify the values of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.

MCCC President Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez was present at the April 18 induction ceremony to congratulate the inductees. The program began with introductory remarks by Beta Tau Lambda Chapter advisors Meredith Frank, Communications Studies Instructor, and Dr. Douglas Powell, History Assistant Professor. Following the introduction, Beta Tau Lambda Chapter President Cameron Gross gave the welcoming remarks.

PTK member Blessing Osazuwa, ’20, was this year’s special keynote speaker. Following her time as a student at MCCC, Osazuwa transferred to Columbia University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Music and African American studies. She now works as a community organizer at POWER Interfaith, a nonprofit organization representing more than 50 unique religious congregations in Southeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Her focus is on bringing about education and housing justice.

Osazuwa congratulated the new inductees and encouraged them to pursue every opportunity they can with an open mind.

“All of our stories are made up of moments,” she said. “So, how do we move from one moment to another? Take it one step at a time. I want to encourage each one of you to believe in yourselves and to not let fear keep you from taking that next step in your lives.”

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the PTK torch, rose and emblem, followed by the inductees reciting the PTK oath. Each inductee then signed the book.

The inductees are joining a scholarly fellowship that embraces not only community college students in the United States but also nationally and internationally. Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1918 and officially recognized in 1929 by the Association of American Community Colleges. Today, it has grown from the original eight chapters to more than 1,300 and it encompasses more than 3.5 million members worldwide. PTK membership enables students to enter into an intellectual fellowship that extends beyond MCCC to regional, national and international networks.

The Beta Tau Lambda inductees for spring 2025 include: Ethan Acito, Tasnia Arjita, Mariana Balderrama Urueta, Gavyn Bernhardt, Jenna Bennett, Owen Bernhardt, Noah Bolman, Chloe Boulange, Samantha Brinton, Ngoc Cao, Holly Capaldi, Liam Cherkasky, Zachary Cutting, Kailee Dawson, Isabella Dimaio, James Frink, Kanade Fuzen, Ashley Gallelli, Ray Golden, Katherine Harvey, Christian Hennessey, Matthew Holland, Thomas Huber, Adam Jones, Lily Mancini, Amanda Mellon, Kristy Morris, Tyonna Murray, Jacob Olejniczak, Carmine Scavello, Avalon Shields, Luke Soda, Benjamin Sullivan, Adriana Termine, Alexander Ullrich and Jacob Wolfgang.

The Beta Tau Lambda Chapter officers are Cameron Gross, president, and Adam Jones, vice president.

There are numerous benefits to being inducted as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, including special recognition during the induction ceremony and at commencement, scholarships, career training opportunities, transfer success, leadership development, and member discounts.

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 the Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter.