Photo Caption: Lois Akpabio (at right) reviews her Phi Theta Kappa certificate during the PTK new member induction April 24, 2023.

Photo Caption: (at left) Stacey Ward, president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College's lOTA ETA chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, speaks during the induction ceremony April 24, 2023 while Dr. Anna Vaughn-Doom, PTK advisor at WKCTC, looks on.

Photo Caption: Dr. Anton Reece, WKCTC president, during the PTK Induction Ceremony April 24, 2023 while Dr. Anna Vaughn-Doom, PTK advisor at WKCTC, looks on.

Kayla Bresser of Benton, KY, was among more than 60 students recently inducted into the local chapter of a national honor society at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

The WKCTC students pledged to "to uphold the standards of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), and to keep this object and aim in mind, I do solemnly pledge allegiance to my fellow members and promise to aid them in all worthy endeavors."

As they were inducted, each student received a certificate with an image of the PTK membership emblem. Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1910 at Stephens College in Columbia, Miss. PTK recognize students' academic success; gives them opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills, earn scholarships, explore career paths.

PTK Chapter President Stacey Ward, said she was not excited about joining PTK at first. "When I first received my email to join Phi Theta Kappa, I originally ignored it because I didn't think that joining a group was going to offer me any other benefit," Ward told the inductees. "And I have never been more excited to say that I was wrong. Joining this group has brought me multiple connections, friendships and opportunities as I move forward in my college career and professional career. And I'm very grateful for all those opportunities that I have gotten."

Dr. Anna Vaughn-Doom, PTK advisor at WKCTC, said Phi Theta Kappa is named after Phi Beta Kappa, the international honor society for four-year colleges and universities, and it was modeled after many aspects of the prestigious senior college honor society. The Greek letters "Phi Theta Kappa" stand for phronimon, thumos, and katharotes, meaning "wisdom," "aspiration," and "purity," Dr. Vaughn-Doom said.

"The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize high academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders," Dr.Vaughn-Doom, said during a ceremony at WKCTC's Student Center April 24. "I am honored to be your advisor for this incredible organization, and I am proud of each one of you for this accomplishment."