Members of Coconino Community College’s Beta Gamma Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society meet weekly to discuss scholarship, fellowship and leadership opportunities in the community. Courtesy photo
FLAGSTAFF — It’s not just about academic scholarship, fellowship and leadership; it’s about service to the community.
And the officers of the Coconino Community College chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society are looking to drum up membership among CCC student scholars. CCC’s Beta Gamma Chi chapter requires students to earn a 3.5 grade-point average, complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at CCC of above 100-level coursework and be in good standing with the college.
Nalani Smith, president of the Beta Gamma Chi chapter at CCC, said Phi Theta Kappa recognizes the academic successes of students at two-year colleges, provides students with leadership opportunities in their local chapters and affords students significant monetary rewards in the form of generous transfer scholarships.
CCC has more than 300 students eligible for PTK membership, Smith said. Yet, only about 120 are currently active members in the chapter, and even fewer participate in the variety of charity drives and fundraisers held by CCC’s chapter each year.
Pam Kiger, vice president of Leadership in the Beta Gamma Chi chapter, said that the current chapter officers would like to change that.
“It’s about service to community, service to the college, and service to our fellow students,” Kiger said. “We’re trying to groom future leaders.”
To that end, CCC’s chapter is currently working on a number of charity efforts to make a difference in the community, Kiger added. Each fall and spring semester, Beta Gamma Chi sponsors the United Blood Drive at CCC. This fall, it will be Nov. 8 in the Lone Tree Campus Board Room. Other fall service projects include an annual winter clothing and blanket drive now underway until Dec. 13 to be distributed to local shelters, Sunshine Rescue Mission and Flagstaff Shelter Services. The chapter is also preparing for its annual “Holiday Giving Tree” event to support women and children at Hope Cottage and Victim Witness Services. The chapter has held these service projects annually for several years. Each year, CCC’s PTK members are hopeful to add more projects to the agenda. Spring projects include Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake in February and another United Blood Services blood drive in March.
Smith, who has interests in fashion, anthropology and psychology, said that PTK has helped her make lifelong connections in helping her achieve her goals. Kiger, who is working on a degree in sociology, will transfer to NAU after graduation next May, and she’s grateful for the scholarship opportunities membership can provide.
Each year, PTK members from all over the world travel to an annual conference, and this year CCC members are hopeful to get there. They are putting together a number of fundraisers to help them reach their goal. Upcoming fundraisers include:
- Nov. 13, at Wildflower Bread Company, 530 Piccadilly Drive, 5-8 p.m. Dine in and take out and a portion of the proceeds go to PTK.
- Nov. 26, at HuHot Mongolian Grill, 601 E. Piccadilly Drive, 5-8 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go to PTK.
- Nov. 19-Dec. 7, Silent Auction of baskets, with products, gift cards from local merchants.
CCC’s Beta Gamma Chi chapter of PTK meets 11 a.m. on Fridays in the APS Room (Room 537) on the Lone Tree Campus, 2800 S. Lone Tree Road.
Students interested in joining PTK should contact Faculty Advisor Sandra Dihlmann at Sandra.Dihlmann@coconino.edu, call 928-226-4230, or drop in on one of the weekly meetings. For more information about PTK, visit ptk.org.