A former Coffeyville resident, Wendy Schmidt-Strukel, was guest speaker at the September 19 general membership meeting of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College.  Schmidt-Strukel completed a 500 mile European pilgrimage, Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James.  The pilgrimage is one of the most important in the Christian faith though Pilgrims walk the Camino for various reasons such as penance, enlightenment, or adventure.

Schmidt-Strukel shared with the Phi Theta Kappa members, "When I turned sixty I decided to work on my "bucket list" while I was still in good health.  I am not a seasoned traveler, this was totally our of my little box, but something I felt very drawn to do, the more I researched, the more I felt I just had to do this."

While not all start the journey for the same reason, all progress toward the Cathedral in Santiago where it is believed the remains of the apostle St. James are held.  Strukel began at St. Jean Pied de Port in France and traveled to Santiago, Spain, a distance of nearly 500 miles.  "It is the most popular Christian route in the world.  It is an ancient path and has existed for more than 10 centuries.  It has regained popularity in the past ten years with the help of some monks.  The trip is rocky, at times grueling, and never easy.  Strukel shared with the students her Pilgrim Passport displaying stamps from the various stops along the route.  She also shared her Completion Certificate received in Santiago. 

In preparation for Strukel's program, chapter officers had viewed the movie, "The Way," staring Martin Sheen.  Both activities addressed the chapter's Honors in Action Project, "How do Pilgrimages Reconstruct the Memory of Others' Histories While Validating Assumptions About Their Truth in a Global Society?"

During the chapter's business meeting, Meaghan Rettele and Courtney Crane were introduced as Members of the Month.  Courtney Crane was also presented with a 5 Star Competitive Edge Completion Pin and Cristin Shepard was announced as the winner of the Phi Theta Kappa Quiz Bowl Competition as well as the international "Leader of Promise Award.  Items discussed were the KS/NE Leadership Conference at Ft. Hays State University September 23-24, the New Member Campaign REACH Program, and the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program.  It was announced that CCC President Linda Moley had been presented with an Honorary Phi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate and pin.