Eighteen members of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Coffeyville Community College, attended the Kansas Region Honors in Action Conference at the Capitol Plaza Inn in Topeka November 6-8. Theme for the conference was Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration. The first general session was sponsored by Kansas State University and their transfer representative, Deena Core, presented the official welcome. Chapter introductions included the Channing Bear Competition sponsored by the Kansas Region Alumni Association. The Eta Gamma Chapter placed third in the competition with a salute to the Kansas City Royals baseball team. A regional business meeting and ice breaker to meet seminar groups was also held.

Before dinner held in the Emerald Room, chapters had an opportunity to participate in the college fair where members talked to transfer representatives from the following colleges and universities: Baker University, Bethany College, Bethel College, Concordia University, Doane College, Emporia State University, Friends University, Hastings College, Kansas State University, Kansas Wesleyan University, Midland University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Ottawa University, Rockhurst University, University of Kansas, University of St. Mary, Washburn University and York College.

The Region Honors in Action project was presented at the second general session followed by seminar discussion groups and a Friday Fun Night presented by the Kansas Regional Officer Team. Saturday morning’s general session introduced the 2016-2018 Study Topic – How the World Works: Global Perspectives. Chapters experienced the City as Text with field trips to the Ritchie House and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. The Historic John and Mary Jane Ritchie house, built in 1856, is a project of the Shawnee County Historical Society. It was acquired by the Society in 1995 and has undergone restoration and preservation. The stone house which stands at 1116 SE Madison serves as an interpretive site of Kansas area heritage and serves also as an important landmark in Shawnee County, KS. The house was an important station on the Underground Railroad for slaves fleeing Missouri. The Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site commemorates the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ended racial segregation in America’s public schools. On May 17, 1954, the court announced its unanimous opinion in the case of Oliver L. Brown et al v. Board of Education et al: “We conclude in the field of public education the doctrine of “separate but equal.” has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Following the field trips, the students were guests at a luncheon at the Washburn University Student Union Ballroom.

Saturday afternoon provided for student discussion in seminar groups. Eta Gamma Advisor Linda Mc Fate presided over the Advisor meeting while Eta Gamma President, Colter Comstock presented a breakout session, “Membership 101.” Saturday evening’s schedule included a dinner and dance at the Shawnee Ballroom. Before departing Topeka Sunday morning, members heard keynote speaker Sylvia Hall, a business consultant and speaker living in Kansas. She specializes in the creative side of leadership development: EQ, Communication + Engagement, and Coaching Strategies.

Eta Gamma Chapter donated items for the Alumni Association silent auction as well as art supplies for the region service project, The Kansas Neurological Center. Chapter member Chase Owen videotaped and edited Seminar Groups 5’s public service announcement. Representing the Eta Gamma Chapter at the conference were: Colter Comstock, Chase Owen, Erasmo Tejeda, Jonathan Kowalczyk, Kyle Darnell, Jesus Medina, Ray Garoutte, Cristin Shephard, Madison Keene, Lisha Lamb, Morgan Porter, Victoria Smith, Elizabeth Villanueva, Courtney Ziegler, Melissa Loibel, and Linda McFate.