Phi Theta Kappa honors new members, NMC president

The Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at the Northern Marianas College celebrated the induction of 16 new members on April 23 as part of activities highlighting Community College Month.

Families, friends, faculty, and members of the NMC Board of Regents and administration joined in the festivities to honor the new inductees.

This year’s ceremony celebrated the 2nd anniversary of the Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. The Beta Lambda Psi Chapter was awarded its international membership charter in April 2002 at NMC and has grown from a membership of 16 in 2002 to about 50 members.

To qualify for Phi Theta Kappa, students must distinguish themselves by maintaining a 3.5 average overall in addition to finding time to serve and contribute to the community through various voluntary endeavors, leadership activities, employment and family commitments.

The induction ceremony was followed by a lavish buffet.

The 16 newest members include students from liberal arts, nursing, education, criminal justice, media arts and business administration: Nicole S Babauta, Claudia E.Bain, Jamie S.Barcinas, Rosanne A. Castro, Mei Chong, Christopher H. Lee, Kevin L. Mahone, Laura Ogo, Shirlynn O.Perez, Dayna Reyes, Joana Marie G. Sabangan, Pamela C. Sablan, Aya S. Sato, Adrianne Stump, and Theresa Diaz Taylor.

Also welcomed into the chapter were new provisional members Mary DL Guerrero, Eula Matsumoto, Jennifer Orpiano, and Audrey L King.

New chapter officers were sworn in as well: Brenda Cabrera, president; Alisa Pangelinan, vice president; Kevin Mahone, secretary of public relations; Nicole Babauta, recording secretary; Tersha Tenorio, membership secretary; and Rochelle Roberto, treasurer.

A special featured award was presented to NMC president Antonio DL Guerrero by Beta Lambda Psi Chapter president Tatiana Babauta. Guerrero received an honorary membership in the Phi Theta Kappa in recognition of his leadership and commitment to NMC and to education in the CNMI.

Outgoing PTK president Babauta received a National Appreciation Award for her service to PTK this year, particularly for spearheading the successful new member recruitment, development of the scholarship fund, and the Recruitment Fair for high school students. She, in turn, presented President’s Appreciation Awards to the outgoing officers and committee members who were instrumental in making this year a success for the NMC chapter.

Social Sciences Department chair Sam McPhetres gave the keynote address.

An international organization, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in the 50 United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and Germany.