(left to right) Clerissa Hadley, 2011-2012 San Jacinto College Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) president; Amanda Rose, Central Campus student life coordinator; and Tanya Madrigal, college preparatory math professor and PTK sponsor, during this year’s campus award ceremony recognizing students’ community and academic achievements. Photo credit: Jeannie Peng-Armao, San Jacinto College marketing department

San Jacinto College Central Campus Phi Theta Kappa earns highest rating of five stars

 Jeannie Peng-Armao -- July 20, 2012

PASADENA, Texas — The San Jacinto College Central Campus Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter has received the coveted five-star rating, the highest recognition for outstanding service among chapters within the national organization.

According to 2011-2012 chapter president, Clerissa Hadley, it's been six long years since the organization received such an honor. Chapters achieve a five-star rating by attending a national convention, submitting three Hallmark Awards, and fulfilling the requirements of the lower-level ratings.

"I knew it would be a lot of hard work to bring us to this status," said Hadley, who was most recently recognized for her achievements as president during the campus’ student award ceremony. Her PTK chapter also picked up an Outstanding Student Organization Award for 2012. "I believe our image on Central campus has been revived. This has left a spark with our future board that will continue to strive to make our chapter rise to even greater accomplishments."

During the 2011-2012 academic year, the Central Campus PTK chapter hosted a movie night for alumni and South Campus chapter members, coordinated the Honors in Action research project on the "The Democratization of Information: Power, Peril, and Promise," held Art Day-Smart Day for local children, hosted a professionalism and etiquette workshop at the Texas state conference and other district meetings, and worked closely with campus faculty and administrators for support on a number of chapter initiatives. The PTK members also participated in numerous volunteering projects from bike building, to tree planting, to trash pickups.

"This was a tedious process as it had to include every detail of our projects and nominations," said Hadley, adding how last year's members exemplified, the often hard to come by, camaraderie approach to their projects. "Having active membership in a chapter is a very difficult task. Every chapter across the nation deals with this issue. During one convention when I mentioned there were 13 active in my chapter, mouths fell open. Many chapters do not have near as many active members. This was such a crucial aspect to our success."

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. The organization provides 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.

Students who wish to become PTK members must already have completed 12 credit hours, be a current college student, and hold a 3.5 grade point average.

"This is a national organization that has millions available in transfer scholarships," said Tanya Madrigal, faculty advisor of PTK at the College's Central Campus. “We are working hard to spread the word of the organization and increase membership every semester."

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

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