The Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College was named the top chapter in the Kansas Region at the region convention in Hutchinson at the Ramada Conference Center March 8-10.  In addition to being named Outstanding Chapter, Eta Gamma received seven additional chapter awards and thirteen individual awards.

The conference began with General Session 1 being held at the Kansas Underground Salt Museum where the group was welcomed by the Kansas Region Officer Team and Dr. Berger, Hutchinson Community College President.  The buffet dinner was sponsored by Park University.  Keynote speaker for the evening was Devin Henderson, magician and mentalist.  He is an author and award-winning entertainer performing from coast to coast with his own show at the KC Improv Comedy Club.  Other Friday highlights included regional officer candidate nominations and political rally.  Dark tours of the mine via tram were an evening highlight.

Saturday’s agenda included the Alumni Association Run for Funds 5K with participation from Eta Gamma members Mercades Price, Caitlin Shepard, Julia Reitz, Madison Bush, and Eric Mueller.  Money from the run is used for a book scholarship for graduating sophomores transferring to a four-year college.  Saturday’s keynote speaker was Carmen Forest, a member of the U.S. 1984 Olympic Handball Team that competed in Los Angeles.  She addressed Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Topic, The Culture of Competition.  Each attendee received a U.S. Olympics red cap and Olympic blankets were given as door prizes.  Following the keynote address, Eta Gamma members Aaron Neely and Eric Mueller presented their region officer candidate speeches.  Eta Gamma members also presented an educational forum, “Planning Your Chapter’s Officer Retreat.”  Following lunch and the college fair including eight universities, the members spent Saturday assisting with service projects at Birthright, the city zoo, and other Hutchinson venues.

The convention banquet was sponsored by Newman University.  During the Regional Awards Ceremony, Eta Gamma received a 5-Star Award Certificate; a plaque for contributing to the region Life Happens Scholarship, each member of the chapter officer team received an Active Member Certificate while former member Shari Blecha received the Five Star Competitive Edge trophy. 

Following is the list of Eta Gamma Awards:

• Distinguished Chapter Member – Eric Mueller
• Distinguished Chapter Officer – Aaron Neely and Distinguished, Caitlin Shepard
• Chapter Officer Team – Eta Gamma
• Honors in Action Project – Eta Gamma
• College Project – Eta Gamma
• Service Award, Distinguished – Eta Gamma
• Great Idea Award, Distinguished – Eta Gamma
• Distinguished Alumnus Award – Phillip Hagebusch
• Sister Chapter Award, Honorable Mention – Eta Gamma and Tau Theta, Labette Community College
• Achievement in Literature Award, Distinguished – Kacie Serrault
• Achievement in Art Award, Photography, Winner – Caitlin Shepard
• Achievement in Art Award, Ceramics, Winner – Kacie Serrault; Honorable Mention – Madison Bush
• Achievement in Art Award, Painting/Drawing, Distinguished – Cindy Gonzales and Caitlin Shepard and Honorable Mention, Dalton Lockwood and Karen Stoehr
• Yearbook Award – Honorable Mention
• Horizon Advisor Award – Linda McFate

Evelyne N’Gouan was the recipient of the $250 Life Happens Scholarship and Caitlin Shepard received the Alumni Transfer University Book Scholarship.  Aaron Neely was elected Vice President of Alumni Relations and Eric Mueller, Vice President of Correspondence.  Both members will serve on the Kansas Region Officer Team.

Attending from the Eta Gamma Chapter were:   Miranda Akers, Sky Birdcreek, Madison Bush, Hannah Coward, Notch Daita, Kyle Darnell, Luke Hailey, Jessika Hamrick, Dalton Lockwood, Linda McFate, Nick Mendy, Eric Mueller, Aaron Neely, Evelyne N’Gouan, Paige Porter, Mercades Price, Julia Reitz, Kacie Serrault, Caitlin Shepard, Karen Stoehr, and Conner Traxson.

Upcoming events for the Eta Gamma Chapter include a general membership meeting on March 25 at 5:30 p.m. in Weinberg Hall 107, and the International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa in San Jose, Calif, April 3-7.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international Honor Society for the two-year College and vocational technical school with more than 2 million members world-wide.