Cape Cod Community College Inducts Eighteen Students into Phi Theta Kappa

Eighteen 4C’s students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on March 23. Those inducted were Ladayne Ferguson, Laura Strapman, Dolfina R. Allan, Nicole Carusso, Destiny Centeio, Corday Cummings, Chris Fawcett, Ryan Louis Friedman, Darius Luster, Steven “Max” Manning, Sean P. McQueen, Tristan L. Miller, Daniel Sexton Reily, Amber Mae Theresa Rivard, Vitoria Ester Borges Sandri, Jeffrey Souza, Karla Streett, Maria Urbina, and Angella Weddas.

 

The ceremony, which was streamed live from the Tilden Arts Center, began with a short introductory presentation explaining the society. Phi Theta Kappa prides itself on the fact that it “recognizes scholars and develops leaders” in 1,285 chapters worldwide through strengthening networking and leadership skills. Induction into the society also includes lifetime membership, as well as access to conferences and opportunities for up to $90 million in scholarships.

 

The 4C’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, known as Alpha Upsilon Mu, began in 1991. Each semester, about 10 percent of students gain entry into what President Cox refers to as a “best in class chapter,” a title strengthened by its numerous awards. Alpha Upsilon Mu is a five-star chapter because it has the highest activity possible, and won first place in the Natural and Constructed Environments HIA (Honors in Action) and third place in both the Distinguished HIA project and Distinguished Chapter. These awards come from a variety of different ways that PTK members have served their community, from fundraisers and letterwriting campaigns to original research on college communication, mental health outreach, runs, and trivia nights. These actions are so successful that, in April 2019, the chapter was also recognized as one of the top 10 chapters internationally. 

 

Among those on stage for the ceremony: Faith Doherty Unwin, president of the Alpha Upsilon Mu chapter; Dr. Kathleen Vranos, vice-president of academic and student affairs; and Dr. Rebecca Griffin, the chapter’s faculty advisor. Dylan Girouard, vice-president of service; Courtney Spencer, vice-president of scholarship; and Catherine Gallagher, recording officer and secretary, also participated in the ceremony.

 

College President John Cox, spoke to the inductees via video. President Cox prefaced the night by saying, “Like the glow cast forward from the PTK torch, tonight is about the clarity to think and see ahead.” He recognized the inductees, taking time to “also recognize the education and support that makes this evening possible,” including the support of family, friends, faculty and staff. “You’ve decided that education is top priority,” he said, adding that joining PTK brings focus “on opportunities for you and your aspirations.”

 

Vranos also spoke. “We’re immensely proud to have a thriving chapter here at 4C's,” she said, especially “to instill in you and help you to obtain, at the highest possible level, our institutional student learning outcomes.” These outcomes, as outlined by Vranos, are “exceptional communication, critical and creative thinking, ethical and civil engagement, multicultural awareness, quantitative and computational skills, and technical literacy.”

 

“We honor you,” Vranos said to the inductees. “We have great confidence in your ability to bring honor to yourselves, to your families, and to 4C's as you go forward.” Each inductee was introduced and briefly described, with a focus on their major and plans for after college. Phi Theta Kappa meets every Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. on Zoom.