NMC Honor Society swears in new members and officers

The Northern Marianas College Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society celebrated the induction of eight new members into the Society on Saturday, April 25. Family, friends, NMC faculty, and PTK members joined in the festivities at Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret to honor the new inductees.

This year’s ceremony celebrates the 7th anniversary of Beta Lambda Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Northern Marianas College. 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 120 current and past members. To qualify for Phi Theta Kappa, students must distinguish themselves by maintaining a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and participating in community service and leadership activities.

The seven newest full members include students from business, criminal justice, education, hospitality management and liberal arts: Raymond Basa, Nicole DLG. Benjamin, Stacey Demapan, Patricia Matagolai, Rita Mae Santos, Maria Tudela, and Luis Villagomez. Also welcomed into the chapter was one new provisional member: Skylar Brown. The induction ceremony was carried out by current PTK officers: president Roxanne Ferrer, vice president Lorna Manahane, recording secretary Frances Santos-Hofschneider, membership secretary Laurence Cambe, public relations secretary Diane Mallari, and treasurer Glenda Cabrera, and advisers Dr. Debra T. Cabrera, Frank Sobolewski, and Larry Lee.

PTK officers for the next academic year 2010 were sworn in as well: president Roxanne Ferrer, vice president Frances Santos-Hofschneider, recording secretary Patricia Matagolai, membership secretary Dyenina Diaz, public relations secretary Stacey Demapan, and treasurer Mindy Park. NMC faculty member Melena Slaven gave an inspiring keynote address. The formal induction ceremony was followed by a buffet dinner.

An international organization, Phi Theta Kappa has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918. It 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.

This past year, PTK members have been actively involved in painting graffiti-laden bus stops in Koblerville and Chalan Kiya. The local chapter also sponsors its Project Graduation: Feed a Body – Feed a Mind campaign during NMC’s commencement week. Non-perishable food items and children’s books are collected for distribution to charity.

More than 600 senior institutions in 50 states and provinces provide more than $36 million in scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members who transfer from their respective community college to a four-year college or university to continue their studies. To date NMC’s graduates have been awarded scholarships to continue studies at Hawaii Pacific University and at Syracuse University, New York.

For additional information about the NMC chapter membership or activities, contact chapter president Ferrer, or advisers Cabrera, Sobolewski, or Lee. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]