CCBC’s High Achieving Students Recognized, Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

MONACA, PA – The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is proud to announce that its Beta Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society has achieved national recognition as a 2017 REACH (Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors) Chapter.

“This is a significant honor not only for the college, but for our students,” said CCBC Office Technology Professor and Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor Mary Jo Slater. “CCBC’s Phi Theta Kappa members not only achieve academic success inside the classroom, but also demonstrate exceptional levels of leadership, fellowship and civic engagement on campus and in the community.”

Established in 1918 by Missouri two-year college presidents, Phi Theta Kappa serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students. Last year, Phi Theta Kappa launched the REACH Awards as a new program designed to recognize and reward Phi Theta Kappa chapters that excel in the area of membership development.

“Congratulations to Community College of Beaver County,” said President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa International Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Thank you for your support in furthering Phi Theta Kappa’s mission of providing recognition and opportunity to students on the CCBC campus.”

The REACH Award furthers Phi Theta Kappa’s mission by encouraging membership growth and chapter development. In order to receive recognition, a chapter must achieve or exceed a 15 percent new membership acceptance rate during the calendar year. The institution’s graduation rates are also taken into consideration when choosing REACH chapters.

Additionally, CCBC student Normita McKinney received the distinguished Phi Theta Kappa Golden Opportunity Award. This award will be used for the Office Technology major’s Phi Theta Kappa membership dues and fees for the year.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” said McKinney, who was nominated by Professor Slater. “It is very affirming to know that someone believes in you, and the support system I have found at CCBC coupled with my own hard work will culminate this December when I graduate and earn my degree.”

Recently, the college celebrated both milestone accomplishments at the annual Phi Theta Kappa Induction Dinner. During the ceremony, 77 new members were inducted, bringing the chapter’s total membership to 2,201 high-achieving current students and alumni. Additional honorees included Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship recipient, Adeline DeSalle, and CCBC’s 2017 All-PA Academic Team Scholars, Kelsey Hudascek and Leslie Powell.

Phi Theta Kappa’s Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship enables Phi Theta Kappa members to overcome unanticipated financial barriers that prevent the completion of a student’s first college credential, an associate degree or certificate. The $1,000 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarships are awarded annually.

The All-USA Community College Academic Team recognizes high achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Honorees receive a full scholarship for use in transfer to Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities. Hudascek plans to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Computer Animation, and Powell will attend California University of Pennsylvania to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems this fall.