Delta Kappa Chapter swears in newest members at induction ceremony, President Priscilla Bell speaks
The new Phi Theta Kappa officers were announced March 14.
The winners are as follows: President Blake Williams, Vice President Shelley Colhoff, Secretary Vanesa Braun, Scholarship Coordinator Mariah Chavez and Public Relations Officer Duncan Menzies.
Williams said his interest in Phi Theta Kappa was deeply rooted in his eagerness to help others as well as his search for scholarly knowledge. He felt that in order to become a successful team, members must be able to work cohesively as a group.
“They need a leader to guide them and not boss them, for without a team you would just be a leader with nothing to lead,” he said.
“I am very excited to serve as your Delta Kappa President but I am even more excited to become friends with each and every one of you,” he said.
Colhoff described herself as a “hard worker” and a “go-getter.” She said she looked forward to experiencing the behind-the-scenes of what she has only been a part of as a member.
“I am willing to put in the time and effort to make Phi Theta Kappa activities and meetings the place everyone will want to be,” she said.
Braun said, “Teamwork is all about communication and compromise. Without these two aspects, no project would ever be completed.”
Furthermore, she said she is willing to devote all the time necessary to attend meetings and participate in events.
Chavez describes herself as “helpful” and “honest” and said she enjoys participating in group projects.
“My personal philosophy is that if everyone is clear about their responsibilities…many people can accomplish what one person could not,” she said.
Menzies said he loves helping people achieve their heart-felt passions and would offer new ideas for Phi Theta Kappa.
“Teamwork for me is humility,” he said.
NIC President Priscilla Bell spoke at the local Delta Kappa Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa induction of its new members for the fall 2012 semester, and swearing in of its new officers March 21 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.
“Phi Theta Kappa is really an outstanding student organization,” Bell said. “The PTK members are the best of the best.”
Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1910 as a society called Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In 1918, it was organized into a new honorary society, and the new name Phi Theta Kappa was applied. PTK became the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.
“As admirable as we know academic excellence is, and as much as all our Phi Theta Kappa students strive to achieve that… it has to be paired with other things,” Bell said.
She went on to discuss service, one of the pillars of Phi Theta Kappa. She quoted Muhammed Ali, who said “Service to others is the payment we make for your space here on earth.”
“One of the most important tenets of Phi Theta Kappa is service,” Bell said. “That’s one of the things that this chapter has so excelled in doing.”
Bell equated service with benevolence.
“It’s benevolence that makes us human. It binds us to one another,” she said.
She encouraged the new Phi Theta Kappa members to continue to serve even beyond their time in the society.
“Volunteer as often as you can, because it stretches your soul and strengthens your heart, and a healthy and fit heart and soul to match that intellect that we know our students have because they have demonstrated it through Phi Theta Kappa membership.”
