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Highland Students Honored at PTK Luncheon

published February 12, 2016Highland Students Honored at PTK Luncheon

Highland Students Honored at PTK Luncheon

Three Highland Community College students joined 46 of their peers when Kansas saluted the 48 community college scholars for their academic accomplishments February 11 in Topeka during the Twenty-First Annual Phi Theta Kappa Honors Luncheon. Representing the state's 19 community colleges and a technical college, these scholars were named to the 2016 All-Kansas Academic Team, sponsored by the international headquarters of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, and the Kansas Council of Community College Presidents.

The Luncheon was held at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Topeka. Those in attendance included the scholars, members of their families, PTK chapter sponsors, community college administrators and trustees, university representatives, legislators, and members of the Kansas Board of Regents staff.  They heard from Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Executive Director Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, making her first visit to a state conference in her new role.

Highland’s PTK chapter is sponsored by faculty members Margy Heddens and Harry Moeller.  Under their leadership, the chapter has ascended from being a one-star chapter to a five-star chapter.  Two the student award recipients are from the Highland campus – Johnathan Dallman and Erin Dolecheck – and one from the College’s Wamego Center – Samantha Zeller – who is sponsored by Dr. Lindsay Kubina.

Dallman carries a 4.0 grade point average as a chemistry/pre-medicine major.  A native of Silver Lake, he is the Vice President of Scholarship for the Highland chapter, President of the Chemistry Club, a tutor, an assistant in the Library, a Student Ambassador, on the President’s List, and volunteers in the community.  He has yet to decide where he will continue to pursue his pre-med studies next year.

Dolecheck is from Kellerton, IA, and is majoring in accounting as she prepares for a career in financial engineering.  She is currently considering Montana State or Kansas State University following her graduation from Highland.  In addition to her PTK involvement, she is the Ag Club President, having served as secretary last year, a member of the Lads and Lassies show choir, in musical theatre, a student ambassador, and on the Dean’s List.

A native of Paxico, Zeller is completing her degree at the College’s Wamego Center while also beginning to take classes at KSU.  She is majoring in social work, is the Wamego Center PTK chapter President, volunteers for the Food Basket, and is a Community Health Ministry volunteer.  She is also on the Dean’s List at the College.

Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society for students attending community and two-year colleges. Membership is based on high grade point averages and other criteria, with members focusing on scholastic achievement and service to community and campus. These 48 student scholars are part of a statewide student body of more than 123,000 students enrolled at the 19 Kansas community colleges.

Each scholar was selected by his or her own community college for the annual statewide academic team, and were presented with medallions, certificates, and scholarship awards for the Presidents’ and Trustees’ organizations at the Luncheon.  Each scholar also is a nominee for the 2016 All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by the newspaper USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges. First team members will receive a $2,500 stipend and will be featured along with second and third team members in USA Today. Names of the students will be placed on the Society's website, www.ptk.org.

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