Phi Theta Kappa holds spring officer retreat

Officers of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College selected historic Weston, Missouri, as the site for their spring semester Officer Board Retreat. Weston is approximately twenty miles from Kansas City Airport and at its founding in 1837 was the furthest western town in the United States.

The chapter officers arrived in Weston at 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 8, for check-in at the Benner House Bed and Breakfast at 645 Main Street. The house which was built in 1898 features exceptional Queen Anne architecture. It was built by George Shawhan who owned what is known today as the McCormick Distillery and in the early 1900s, it was purchased by Charles Benner. It remained in his family until it was converted to a Bed and Breakfast in 1986. The Benner House is graced with an original hand carved oak and beveled glass entrance and open, wrap-around porches on both stories.

The chapter officers used the Benner House dining room for their planning sessions which included a review of the spring and summer calendars and the setting of dates for community oriented projects such as an Easter egg hunt and St. Baldrick’s event. Activities related to each of the Society’s Hallmarks were explored.

Eta Gamma president Chance Harmon presented the Leadership Hallmark, vice president of scholarship David Dodard presented the Scholarship Hallmark, and vice president of service Sarah McClenning discussed service opportunities for chapter members. During the chapter’s second planning session, the Five Star Chapter Development Program was discussed as well as the Hallmarks, a recognition program for individuals and chapters. There were also advisor reports and a judging of one of the Missouri Region Hallmark Award categories.

The chapter officers selected the historic America Bowman restaurant as the location for the retreat dinner. America Bowman was born in Kentucky on the 4th of July, 1817. She and her Pennsylvania born husband, Joseph, were among the very first to come to the Platte Country following the treaty. The restaurant which carries her name is Weston’s oldest and features an incongruous maze of six rooms, connected by a labyrinth of halls, passageways and a tunnel. The restaurant’s most formal Keeping Room is decorated with historic brewery photos and long, handcrafted refectory tables and kerosene lamps. Celtic music is featured. The Coffeyville students also had an opportunity to listen to the music of an Irish band featuring Bob Reeder.

On Saturday, the students traveled the short distance to Snow Creek where they enjoyed skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Chapter officers participating in the board retreat were: Chance Harmon, David Dodard, Sarah McClenning, Brooklyne Johnson, Tyler Roush, and Darcy Hurlbutt. Other chapter officers are Victoria Thomas, Anthony Hill, Teresa Menefee, Samantha Henry, Michael Steen, Shehan Fernando, and Israel Bisoni. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize scholarship on the two-year college level.