NORFOLK, NE – Fifty-five students at Northeast Community College have qualified for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, (PTK), Tau Chi Chapter.
Since the installation of Northeast’s Tau Chi chapter in 1996, approximately 3,200 students have been inducted into the international academic honor society for two-year colleges. For nearly 90 years, membership in Phi Theta Kappa has signified a singular honor and a willingness to embrace the Society’s shared commitment to academic excellence.
At a recent induction ceremony, Amanda Nipp, vice president of student services at Northeast, said it is rewarding to have an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the students.
“Our Phi Theta Kappa sponsors are excited to see the next class of PTK students inducted into the society, as these are the next group of student leaders they will get to know and work with to fulfill the purpose of PTK which is to provide recognition for academic excellence and opportunities for college students to grow as scholars and leaders,” she said.
Erika Rupprecht, PTK alumna and now the student activities coordinator at Northeast, encouraged the students to put in “that little bit of extra effort” as a member of PTK.
“It will get you connections that you had no idea you could ever make and it will definitely change your life!”
Amanda Avidano, relationship manager for Bellevue University, who works with Northeast students who are finishing their associate degrees and planning to transfer to earn bachelor degrees, told the new members, since 2010, Bellevue has awarded several Northeast students with PTK grants when they transferred their credits to the institution.
“PTK is not just a note on your transcript. It is you, your success, your leadership, and your legacy as a lifetime member,” she said.
To be eligible for PTK, students must have earned at least 12 credit hours and achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 or above out of a 4.0 system.
The organization’s mission is two-fold: recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and; provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. PTK is the largest honor society in higher education.
The following Northeast students have qualified for PTK for the Fall 2019 semester:
Nebraska
Amelia - Jordan Laetsch.
Bancroft - Kennedy Schuttler.
Battle Creek - Johnana Peterson.
Bloomfield - Jonathan Sahagun.
Bristow - Ashley Holmberg.
Burwell - Emilee Taylor.
Clarkson - Culleen Cerv.
Columbus - Logan Hardy, Raegan Hardy, Madeline Neville.
Dodge - Kierra Stewart.
Herman - Kristen Bitter.
LaVista - Thomas Loseke.
Mills - Caitlin Orton.
Meadow Grove - Brandon Lodge.
Newport - Marcus Reynolds.
Norfolk - Rebecca Armstrong, Sheanne Chapman, Curtis Eickoff, Allison Erwin, Shelby Fisher, Celeste Gansebom, Kaitlyn Grissom, Brandon Hart, Tessa Henning, Hudson Kruse, Timothy Lillard, Maria Mikhaylova, Ricardo Henrique Mohn, Bryson Mohr, Marian Rodriguez Hernandez, Emily Schwanebeck, Alaina Villalpando, Olivia Wynn.
O’Neill - Abby Birkel, Lauri Havranek, Jayde Miller-Noe.
Osceloa - Ginni Johansen.
Osmond - Jared Bessmer, Erin Kumm.
Platte Center - Kyle Dohmen, Riley Jarosz.
Pierce - Grace Jansen.
Spencer - Elsie Magwire.
Springfield - Cade Lynam, Colin Lynam.
Stanton - Emily Borgren, Hannah Heppner, Harley Waggoner.
South Sioux City - Holli Verzani.
Wakefield - Jessica Borg.
Valentine - Payge Poulsen.
Wayne - Donna Aimee Oswald.
Out of State
IA, Hinton - Brandy Immens.
NM, Albuquerque - Tiana Owens.
Rebecca Stone, Newman Grove, serves as president of the PTK Tau Chi chapter, Tylee Kemp, Norfolk, is vice president of scholarship, Emily Schwanebeck, Norfolk, serves as vice president of leadership, and Ben Moxness, Scribner, is secretary.
Northeast Phi Theta Kappa sponsors are Colleen Barnes, criminal justice/sociology instructor, Andrea Suhr, physical therapist assistant instructor, in Norfolk and Cara Watchorn, student support specialist in South Sioux City.
During the ceremony, Barnes and Suhr were recognized for their five years of service as PTK advisors. Each were presented pins from the honorary society for their work with the Tau Chi chapter.
Northeast Community College offers over 130 programs and concentrations of study preparing students for immediate employment or transfer to a four-year college or university.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Northeast Community College business student Lauri Havranek, of O’Neill, is inducted into the Northeast Community College Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society during a ceremony at the College recently. She is being presented a certificate from Andrea Suhr, a PTK advisor at Northeast.