Montgomery County Community College's Top Students Are Inducted Into The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Press release from the Montgomery County Community College:

December 6, 2021

Montgomery County Community College recently celebrated the induction of 95 students
into the Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) international honor society for two-year colleges.

To be eligible for this elite honor, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits, maintain
a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. Students recommended
for PTK exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.

To be eligible for this elite honor, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits, maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. Students recommended for PTK exemplify the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.

MCCC has two PTK chapters – Alpha Kappa Zeta at the Blue Bell Campus and Beta Tau Lambda at the Pottstown Campus. Both chapters have attained five-star status, the highest rank a chapter can earn. Dr. Catherine Parzynski, History Assistant Professor, and Dr. Cathy Hoult Shewring, History Professor, are the advisers for Alpha Kappa Zeta, and Douglas Powell, History Assistant Professor, and Meredith Frank, Communications Studies Instructor, are the advisers for Beta Tau Lambda.

The video ceremony started with a congratulatory message from MCCC’s sixth President, Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez.

“It is truly my honor to join you in celebrating your academic, leadership and service accomplishments at the College and in our communities,” President Bastecki-Perez said. “On behalf of the entire Montco Family, including our Board of Trustees, your fellow students, our faculty, staff and alumni of more than 65,000 members and, of course, myself, we are proud of your efforts and your continued work as you pursue your academic goals. Congratulations on a job well done.”

The inductees are joining a scholarly fellowship, said Dr. Parzynski, which extends beyond MCCC to regional and national networks. Founded in 1918, PTK officially was recognized by the American Association for Junior Colleges in 1925. Today, it has grown to include more than 700 regular and alumni chapters nationwide.

MCCC’s Alpha Kappa Zeta chapter started in 1985. This year’s officers are Emily Duggan, President; Katelyn Schuchardt, Vice President of Service; Darcy Mossholder, Vice President of Leadership; and Emilie McCarthy, Recording Officer.

As PTK members, MCCC students participate in the Honors in Action service program and will have access to transfer scholarships opportunities, receive member discounts and wear special regalia attire during commencement in recognition of their membership. Students may be inducted into the chapter for the fall semester through the end of 2021.

The Alpha Kappa Zeta inductees for fall 2021 to date include:

Maria Abdallaoui, Norristown

Adem Aydin, Willow Grove

Ruby Baker, Norristown

Oluwatosin Bankole, Gilbertsville

Charles Barsky, Plymouth Meeting

Cami Beaver, Plymouth Meeting

Lyndsie Bechtel, Norristown

Rebecca Beneroff, Ambler

Jessica Bergey, Hatfield

Emily Bruni, Ambler

Meghan Burns, Skippack

Christina Carcaci, North Wales

Brendan Cartin, Hatboro

Gabe Claypoole, Pottstown

James Coladonato, Audubon

Amanda Currie, Marcus Hook

Madison Curry, Lansdale

Shari Davis, Abington

Sufyan Davis-Arrington, Lansdale

William Donahue, Benton

Laura Elofer, Lake Worth

Jennifer Fanega, Lafayette Hill

Ana Fejzaj, Norristown

Mason Fichtner, Gilbertsville

Bailey Funkhouser, Pottstown

Christopher Granahan, Hatboro

Elaina Grando, Schwenksville

Emily Guicheteau, Oreland

Jodie Gunster, North Wales

Charlotte Haggerty, Philadelphia

Andrea Haines, Lansdale

Hailey Hinkle, Colmar

Andrea Hoffman-Zahm, Bridgeport

Tony Jalcs, Collegeville

Cynthia Jerdan, Telford

Chanel Jones, Darby

Evan Kaminsky, Horsham

Madison Kerper, Jeffersonville

Evan Kohlbus, Lansdale

Deanna Kuik, Lansdale

Matthew Kuznicki, King of Prussia

Nina Kuznicki, King of Prussia

James Laskey, Kingston

Emily Lessie, Pottstown

Mia Levenberg, Souderton

Mariana Linares, Norristown

Robert Livingston, North Wales

Joanne Malandra, Norristown

Karen Manson, Elkins Park

Joebanna Martineau, Royersford

Grace McGinnis, Ardmore

Lauren Meter, Collegeville

Briana Miller, Pennsburg

Stephanie Miller, Quakertown

Isabella Monteiro, Willow Grove

William Moser, King of Prussia

Heather Myers, Sellersville

Gadisa Negi, Norristown

Isabella Ngov, Oreland

Dhruv Patel, Souderton

Ann Pecoraro, Harleysville

Linda Pellegrino, Oreland

Zion Perry, Willow Grove

Kyle Petras, Blue Bell

Abigail Pietrak, Gilbertsville

Rocco Pistilli, Oreland

Giuseppe Preziosi, King of Prussia

Zachary Raugh, Boyertown

Kelly Regan, Fort Washington

Heather Reitnauer, Gilbertsville

Payton Ridenour, Pottstown

Elizabeth Rivera, Philadelphia

Patrick Robertson, Philadelphia

Rachel Roomberg, Wayne

Emma Rose, Roslyn

Daniel Ryan, Norristown

Devin Santo, Blue Bell

Kasey Schwalje, Willow Grove

Jennifer Seifert, Lafayette Hill

Morgan Sitasz, Horsham

Jacob Snyder, Willow Grove

Brianne Swope, Sumneytown

Victoria Valerio Lopez, Skippack

Jennifer Walker, Barto

Samantha Walsh, Glenside

Autumn Ward, Abington

Michael Ward, Ardmore

Shaya Watson, Norristown

Tania Watson, Spring City

Felicity Weller, Plymouth Meeting

Maria Wilson, Bryn Mawr

Carolyn Wombough, Skippack

Yuzhao Xie, Conshohocken

Christopher Young, Hatfield

Corina Zuniga, Hatboro

After the ceremony, Dr. Gloria Oikelome, Vice President for Academic Affairs, congratulated the students on their achievements.

“The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students as well as to provide opportunities for growth as scholars and leaders,” said Dr. Oikelome. “I am a firm believer in that it takes a village to achieve your goals, and as we conclude today’s ceremony, I want to take the opportunity to thank all the individuals in the Montco village – faculty, staff, friends, family, PTK advisers – thank you for all that you do for our inductees as they pursue their academic and career pathways.”

This press release was produced by the Montgomery County Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.