College PTK chapter take international awards

May 9, 2006

The Alpha Omega Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the college received several awards in April at the 2006 Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Seattle. The chapter, which has over 60 students, was acknowledged with a Service Hallmark award, a Distinguished Chapter award, and a Top 100 Chapter award. The awards recognize superior individual and chapter achievement in the society’s leadership, service, scholarship and fellowship programs.

Over the last two years, Irvine Valley’s Alpha Omega Mu Chapter of the national Phi Theta Kappa honor society has been one of the fastest growing chapters in the California/Nevada region.

PTK student officer Sze-Ming Leung also received the Distinguished Chapter Officer award; student Tiffani Hofferber received a Distinguished Member award.

To be selected for the awards, the students must have demonstrated outstanding academic success; a high grade point average; membership in academic, community or other organizations; and other criteria.

English Professor Kurt Meyer won the society’s Paragon Award for new advisors. Meyer, who has been with the college five years, has been behind the club’s drive to boost enrollment and raise the organization’s commitment to scholarship and community service.

College president Dr. Glenn R. Roquemore also received the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for his efforts to promote the club on campus. The award is named for the distinguished educator and current chairman of the International Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors.

Nearly 500 chapters competed for the Hallmark Awards in 2006. The annual awards competition recognizes excellence in scholarship and achievement of 1,200 chapters around the world.