Alpha Upsilon Upsilon Chapter

at W.C.C.C.

PURPOSE The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be

to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

OUR MISSION

Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold:

Recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year

college students and;

Provide opportunities for individual growth and development through

participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

HISTORY

1918 Phi Theta Kappa is founded by presidents of

eight Missouri junior colleges for women, who seek to establish an academic honor society with a common purpose and organization.

1921 The first Phi Theta Kappa membership pin is

designed. 1924 The Phi Theta Kappa Constitution is amended

to provide for chartering of chapters at coeducational and all-male schools.

The Phi Theta Kappa seal is adopted.

HISTORY1929 At the annual meeting held November 18-19 in Atlantic City, New

Jersey, the American Association of Junior Colleges (now known as the American Association of Community Colleges or AACC) officially recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the national honor society for junior colleges.  November 19 is now recognized annually as Phi Theta Kappa Founders Day.

1930 The Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key membership pin is adopted and

remains in use today. The Key is a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom. Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words meaning phronimon (Phi), thumos (Theta), katharotes (Kappa) and meaning wisdom, aspiration and purity. Behind the band is a wreath, on one side composed of oak leaves, and on the other, of laurel. The wreath of oak leaves denotes stability and strength of character, and the curling leaves of laurel signify achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, symbol of learning; in the base appear the Greek letters forming the word meaning light, the light of learning and knowledge (φῶς, phi, omega and sigma).

A membership certificate is approved. A Coat of Arms, now known as the Crest, is approved.

HISTORY1975 The first transfer scholarship specifically for Phi Theta

Kappa members is established by Dr. Jack Guistwhite, an administrator at Florida Atlantic University. Currently approximately 735 colleges and universities across the United States, in Canada and Great Britain offer $37 million in transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.

1993 Phi Theta Kappa celebrates its 75th anniversary.1996 Phi Theta Kappa establishes a website.1998 The Golden Key weekly electronic newsletter is launched.2006 Phi Theta Kappa inducts its

2 millionth member.

WHAT CAN PHI THETA KAPPA

DO FOR YOU?

Validate your academic successWe reward your hard work with membership in the largest community college honor society.

Empower you for future successThe transition to college isn't easy, whether you are entering directly after high school or after years outside the classroom. We can help, with support from your campus chapter and real resources built around the needs of community college students.

Expand your academic horizonsUse our honors program, Honors in Action, and your research and leadership skills to engage in problem-solving and make a difference through service.

Develop "soft" skillsLearn about effective written and oral communications, leadership skills, critical thinking, time management and teamwork through Five Star Competitive Edge professional development plan.

Keep you on track to complete collegeWe're committed to increasing credentialing rates. See how we can help with scholarship information and our transfer planning platform, CollegeFish.org.

Connect you to our world of scholarsBe part of a global network of students through our interactive website, Facebook, Twitter and cutting-edge technology available 24/7, providing complete programming access to distance learners and evening students.

BENEFITS

Membership recognizes your academic success:

The Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Membership Pin A Phi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate and ID

Card Recognition during college induction ceremony Recognition by wearing Phi Theta Kappa

Commencement Regalia during college graduation Announcement of earned Membership on Phi

Theta Kappa's website A Press Release announcing your academic

achievement

BENEFITSMembership empowers you with a competitive edge: $37 million in scholarships for members only FREE enrollment in CollegeFish.org, a transfer and college

completion planning tool FREE access to Five Star Competitive Edge, a personal and

professional development plan for building marketable skills and an online portfolio

FREE access to our Career Resource Center Opportunity to be published in Phi Theta Kappa's

anthology, Nota Bene Opportunities to develop research and servant leadership skills

by participating in Honors in Action programming in local chapter

Opportunity to become part of a network of over 2.5 million fellow scholars and servant leaders on more than 1,270 campuses worldwide

Increased pay grade for entry level federal jobs Personalized letters of recommendation for scholarships and

employment

SCHOLARSHIPSTransfer Scholarships: More than $37 million in transfer scholarships are

available to Phi Theta Kappa members and they are available for over 700 four-year colleges and universities.

Awards are administered directly by the senior institution.

Scholarships Administered by Phi Theta Kappa:

Phi Theta Kappa administers scholarships using a common application. Applicants may apply for one scholarship on the common application or multiple scholarships at the same time.

SCHOLARSHIPSFall Scholarships Spring

ScholarshipsOther Opportunities

Hites Transfer Scholarships

Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Guistwhite Scholarships

Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise

The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships

All-USA Community College AcademicTeam

GEICO Business Student Scholarship

The Jeannette Rankin Foundation

Coca-Cola Community College AcademicTeam

International Scholar Laureate Program

New Century Scholars

Pearson Prize for Higher Education

All-State Community College AcademicTeam

ELIGIBILITYTo be eligible for membership: You must be enrolled in a regionally accredited

institution offering an associate degree program. You must have completed at least 12 hours of

coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible).

You must generally have a grade point average of 3.5.

You must receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled.

You must adhere to the moral standards of the society in accordance with the Society's Constitution.

HAVE QUESTIONS?Visit www.PTK.org and

contact our Phi Theta Kappa Advisor!

W.C.C.C. YoungwoodAlpha Upsilon UpsilonLocal Chapter Advisor:

Dr. Patricia Guthguthp@wccc.edu(724) 925-4240

BIBLIOGRAPHY www.WCCC.edu

www.ptk.org