The Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College was named one of the top 100 chapters of the international honors Societies nearly 1,300 chapters world-wide.  The 2016 Most Distinguished Chapter was Alpha Rho Mu Chapter of Lone Star College - Tomball, Texas.  The most Distinguished Chapter scores highest overall in combined Honors in Action Project and College Project Award rankings.

The local chapter was also recognized with an additional three awards at the Society’s international convention in National Harbor, Maryland, April 5-10.  The Eta Gamma Chapter Officer Team was selected as one of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2016 Distinguished Chapter Officer Teams which are nominated by the chapter advisor through the Hallmark Awards application process and are chosen based on the team’s demonstration of an exceptional atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities, promotion of Honors in Action, other engagement in the Society, and enthusiasm for the Hallmarks of the Society (Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship.)  The Eta Gamma Chapter Officer Team was selected by a panel of judges from 200 nominees internationally.  Presented on Stage at the Gaylord National Convention Center were the following Eta Gamma Chapter Officers:  Reina Garcia, Karen McKenzie, Victoria Smith, Morgan Porter, Tanner Vieyra, Jesus Medina, Cristen Shepard, Colter Comstock, Rayanndra Darbro, Evalys Azuara, and Lisha Lamb.

Recognized for an individual award was Colter Comstock, Eta Gamma President, who received the International Outstanding Officer Award.  Two alumni members of the Eta Gamma Chapter were among the seventeen alumni selected for the international Distinguished Alumnus Award.  Eric Mueller, a student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, continues with Phi Theta Kappa participation while former Coffeyville resident, Pam Howe, serves as advisor of the Mu Delta Chapter at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

A special feature of this year’s Nerd Nation Convention was the Phi Theta Kappa Academy attended by all Eta Gamma Chapter delegates.  The event was held April 6-7 in both Washington, D.C., and National Harbor, Maryland, and was presented by the Harvard Extension School.  On Wednesday evening, the delegates viewed the following D.C. monuments:  The United State Capitol, The White House, Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial and the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.  The tours were followed by a Monuments as Text Plenary Session on Thursday morning.  Guide for the Eta Gamma group was Tony Spadafora of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C.

Keynote speakers for the convention included Phi Theta Kappa’s International President Yanik Etan, Author Dr. Paul Stoltz who addressed “How the World Works.  GRIT, the New Science of What it takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed!” and Lord John Eatwell. President, Queens’ College Cambridge who focused on “How the World Works:  International Education.”  Also addressing the convention was Katty Kay, Lead Anchor for BBC World News America who presented “How the World Works:  Global Update,” and Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner whose topic was “Other Duties as Assigned.”

In addition to five rounds of educational forums, members for the first time, had the opportunity to participate in a scholar’s bowl and prepared speech competition.  The convention also featured twenty-one corporate sponsors and twenty-two major colleges and universities in the Academic Market Place where transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members were highlighted.

Students representing CCC at the convention were:  Reina Garcia, Karen McKenzie, Victoria Smith, Morgan Porter, Tanner Vieyra, Jesus Medina, Cristin Shepard, Colter Comstock Rayanndra Darbro, Evalys Azuara, Lisha Lamb, and Eric Mueller.

Upcoming events for the chapter include:  officer interviews April 21, assisting with the Foundation Scholarship Auction, April 30, and the annual chapter recognition celebration May 1, at 2:00 p.m. in the Spencer/Rounds Theatre.