Clinton Community College hosted the spring induction ceremony of Phi Theta Kappa, the largest educational honor society in the world, on March 6. CCC, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, is home to the Alpha Theta Beta Chapter of PTK.  To be invited to join the honor society, students must complete at least 12 credits with a 3.5 GPA.
 
Alpha Theta Beta chapter President Mason Soenksen and Secretary Danielle Taylor served as the Masters of Ceremony.  CCC President Brian Kelly recognized the academic accomplishments of the students who have earned the opportunity to join Phi Theta Kappa.   Interim Dean of Students Tishly Herrington and Jennifer Austin assisted in the ceremony.  EICC Interim Chancellor Dr. Liang Chee Wee served as guest speaker.  His message of humanity while serving others is very powerful, sharing a story of his childhood in China.  The Alpha Theta Beta Chapter Advisors Gina Bielski, Heather Evans, and Derek Campbell commented, “These new members of Alpha Theta Beta have worked hard in the classroom to earn their invitation to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  Welcome!” 
 
The Alpha Theta Beta chapter has been awarded 5-Star Chapter status and named a REACH chapter for their growth in membership. The chapter has completed several projects including collecting alumni memories, creating a little lending library, sending more than 1,000 holiday cards to our military troops, handing out stress relief bags to students and faculty during finals, and upkeep with the pollinator garden.   The 2025 focus is on storytelling, with PTK members encouraged to listen to others’ stories and to share their own.
 
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1,200 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan.  Scholarships totaling more than $36 million are offered annually to Phi Theta Kappa students.  Nearly 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 131,000 students inducted annually. 
 
Clinton Community College students Fall 2024 Inductees into Phi Theta Kappa include:
 
Camanche, IA
      Karley Erps
 
Clinton, IA
      Keiara Doctor
      Blake Haskell
      Madelynn Jachino
      Lavoyd Jones
      Sarah Lilly
      Kadence Remrey
 
Preston, IA
      Hope Miller
 
Sabula, IA
      Cole Venema
 
Wheatland, IA
      Ava Cavey
 
Thomson, IL
      Hannah Gabbard
 
The Spring 2025 Inductees include:
 
Bellevue, IA
      Miley Peters
 
Camanche, IA
      Josh Liles
 
Clinton, IA
      Whitney Cassaday
      Ivalyn Krogman
      Terrence Marlatt
      Anthony Nicoletto
      Bruce Powell
      Rawleigh Sellers
      Otis Welch
 
Davenport, IA
      Wendy Kendall
 
De Witt, IA
      Courtney Kramer
 
Delmar, IA
      Saivannah Clay
      Laura Sutton
 
Dubuque, IA
      Jessica Schreyer
 
Goose Lake, IA
      Emily Kleinschmidt
 
Maquoketa, IA
      Maelyn Kluever
      Meghan Morales
      Ainsley Munson
      Hailey Veach
 
Preston, IA
      Hunter Hennings
 
Sabula, IA
      Isaac Tharp
 
Morrison, IL
      Bailey Dykstra
 
*****
 
Photo:  Phi Theta Kappa inductees with Dr. Liang Chee Wee and Dr. Brian Kelly