CCC students light candles to mark their induction into the Beta Gamma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Courtesy photo.
Flagstaff, Ariz. – Coconino Community College graduate Kevin Scholler talked about his experience about arriving at CCC that first day when he decided he wanted an education.
“I remember that first day of school, I had a lot of fear in me,” Scholler said, adding that he didn’t think he could do it. He had been a poor high school student. He had spent seven years in the U.S. Navy and was away from school for so long. He sat in his car, feeling the fear of failure, and he decided to go to class anyway.
He excelled, and not only that, he became a member, and eventually an officer, of CCC’s chapter of the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
Exactly 64 students at CCC were accepted this year into the Beta Gamma Chi chapter of PTK, and several of those students went through an Induction Ceremony on March 15 at the CCC Lone Tree Campus in front of family and friends. During the event, the local chapter’s new officers were selected and sworn in.
CCC’s HR IT analyst Cindy Dorfsmith, who is also a student, was sworn in as the Co-Vice President of Service for PTK.
“I believe being inducted as an officer into Phi Theta Kappa as a first-generation, non-traditional college student sets an example for other students that no matter the circumstances, you can set your bar high and achieve your goals,” Dorfsmith said.
The other officers are:
- Brooke Buntin, President
- Martika Tallman, Vice President of Leadership
- Paul Bearchell, Vice President of Fellowship
- Desiree Mitchell, Vice President of Fundraising
- April Winters, Co-Vice President of Service
Featured speaker CCC Sociology Instructor Linda Barker told the gathered students and their families, “Do not forget, you now have chosen to join a team organization that seeks to support your personal, professional and academic growth. You have peers in PTK who seek to engage you and offer you opportunities to grow and become the best version of yourself.”
CCC English Instructor Sandra Dihlmann, who is a PTK faculty co-advisor, said that as part of the PTK five-star chapter requirement, the Beta Gamma Chi holds a formal induction ceremony once a year during the spring semester. Additionally, this year, BGC also celebrated PTK’s centennial.
“In addition to honoring the new inductees, the point of induction is to engage more active members,” Dihlmann said. “Ultimately, service to our local and college community is what our chapter values most. We went to encourage all members to lead with a servant’s heart.”
Dihlmann added that the hope for next year is to bring another 90 students into PTK.
The requirements for PTK membership include a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, at least 12 credit hours of transferrable (above 100 level) courses taken at CCC, and good standing with the College. Students interested who have additional questions should contact Sandra Dihlmann at 226-4230, or Maxie Inigo at 226-4246.
To view a photo essay of the PTK Induction Ceremony, visit https://flic.kr/s/aHskvhoY4n