Februrary 15, 2008

Four Cowley College PTK students honored at luncheon in Topeka

Jackie Hutchinson and Elisha Swope from Cowley College’s Arkansas City campus and Keisha Brooks and Lisa Burns from Cowley’s Wichita campus were among the students honored in Topeka Thursday during the Thirteenth Annual Phi Theta Kappa Honors Luncheon.

Hutchinson, Swope, Brooks, and Burns were named to the 2007-08 All-Kansas Academic Team, sponsored by the international headquarters of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, and the Kansas Council of Community College Presidents.

“It was a great experience for them,” Cowley College Phi Theta Kappa co-sponsor Melinda Neal said.

Other Cowley dignitaries at the luncheon were: Cowley College president Dr. Patrick J. McAtee; vice president of student affairs Sue Saia; vice president of academic affairs Sheree Utash; PTK co-sponsor Nancy Ayers; Board of Trustees chairman Ron Godsey; vice chairman Donna Avery; and Mark Paton, board member.

Mark Parkinson, Lt. Governor for the state of Kansas, served as the keynote speaker.

“He did a fantastic job as the keynote speaker,” Neal said.

Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society for students attending community and two-year colleges. Membership is based on high grade point averages and other criteria, with members focusing on scholastic achievement and service to community and campus. The 46 individuals are part of a statewide student body of more than 91,000 people enrolled in more than 692,000 credit hours taken annually at the 19 Kansas community colleges.