Commit to Complete Signing Day!

Phi Theta Kappa hosted a “Signing Day” event challenging RACC students to make

their commitment to complete their degrees by signing a “Commit to Complete”

banner. All students were invited to come to sign and to buy some baked goods

benefitting our Kappans for Catilin Team.

The Community College Completion Corps webpage states the following:

“President Obama and higher education leaders have pledged to boost college

completion rates by 50 percent over the next 10 years. Phi Theta Kappa is heading

the Community College Completion Corps, the student-led initiative to raise aware-

ness of the importance of college completion not only for students but for colleges

and the communities they serve.”

Nationwide Phi Theta Kappa members are joining a campaign to encourage com-

munity college students to “commit to complete” their associate degrees and their

certificate programs.

Thanks to all the members who participated in this successful day! The team

raised nearly $300 for Caitlin’s Smiles and two banners are full of names dedicat-

ed to graduate. Special thanks to Stephanie Stricker for her tremendous efforts.

More Photos from the Event are featured on page 4.

April 2012 Volume 9, Issue 1

Phi Theta Kappa News Reading Area Community College Alpha Sigma Rho

Inside this Issue:

New Member

Induction

Advisor’s

Message

Signing Event

Officer Elections

Scholarships

Better World

Books

Better World Books!

Better World Books collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives

worldwide.

Phi Theta Kappa has been involved in this initiative by collecting used textbooks

that a student would normally return to the book store, and donating them to

Better World Books. Instead of selling your books back to the bookstore for a

fraction of what you paid, you can give your book to this great organization and

lend a helping hand to this world wide initiative.

The worldwide impact of Better World Books has been tremendous. They have

re-used or recycled over 70 million pounds of books and raised over $10 million

for global literacy and local libraries.

RACC and Phi Theta Kappa are committed to BWB and will be looking for more

donations and volunteers this semester.

Not only does this program help literacy around the world, it helps the planet:

For every 100 books you collect, you reduce the impact on the environment by:

-2 trees

-943 gallons of water

-140 lbs of Methane and other CO2

-330 Kwh of electricity

To get involved contact: dsingleton@racc.edu

Page 2 Phi Theta Kappa News

Phi Theta Kappa is the

prestigious honor

society for two year

colleges. Membership

acknowledges your

academic achievement,

provides access to

scholarships, and offers

participation in the

local, regional, and

national activities.

Contact Dr. Donna

Singleton for further

information:

dsingleton@racc.edu.

Scholarship Opportunities

Phi Theta Kappa is always offering many different Scholarship Opportuni-

ties to its chapters. Although the Spring scholarship deadline is ap-

proaching, that means you can get a head start on the fall or transfer

scholarships. Phi Theta Kappa has transfer scholarships available at over

700 four-year colleges and universities. More than 37 million in scholar-

ships are available to Phi Theta Kappa members. For more scholarship

information, deadlines, awards, and contact information visit: ptk.org

In March Phi Theta Kappa inducted its latest group of new members. Congratulations new inductees and

welcome to Phi Theta Kappa. Front Row left to right: 1. Julie Mest 2. Erin Neiman 3. Zach Erb 4. Jamie Ja-

raczewski 5. Samantha George 6. Eric Gardner Second Row: 1.Amy Baker-Williams 2. Nichole Russo

3. Kelsey Rentschler 4. Michael O'Donohue 5. Karen David 6. Jason Miller 7. Melissa Lutz 8. Susanne

Smith 9. Lauren Szilli 10. Nathan Brandt 11. Christopher King 12. Elaine Pleet

Welcome New Phi Theta Kappa Members

Page 3 Phi Theta Kappa News

One of the trends of a Community College is that sooner or later students must move on. This year

Phi Theta Kappa has several officer positions opening up. We need officers for next year’s officer

team because several current officers are moving on. An officer position is the best way you can

serve your Phi Theta Kappa Chapter: Alpha Sigma Rho. Serving as an officer is the best way to let

your voice be heard and truly make a difference at your school and in your community. Phi Theta

Kappa is searching for highly motivated and truly dedicated students to fill these positions. Do you

have what it takes? Elections will be held at our next meeting on April 14, 2012. No experience is

necessary. Officer duties are available in the Bylaws on our webpage. Give it a shot!

Professor of Social Services/

Human Services Division

Danelle Bower was the honored

guest Induction Speaker and

welcomed new members to Phi

Theta Kappa.

Officer Elections Coming Soon!

Phi Theta Kappa News Page 4

Chapter Officers:

Patty Chase Sturz

President

Vanessa Soler

Vice President

Theadra Graczyk

Secretary

Mark Krotee

Public Relations

Secretary

Stephanie Stricker

Student Activities

Board

Dr. Donna Singleton

Advisor

How to win…

Congratulations to Christina Buehler for being named a Silver Scholar in the

ALL-USA Academic Team Scholarship Competition and to Patricia Chase Sturz

for her American Association of University Women Scholarship.

These students care about their grades and care about making a difference

by working with organizations on and off campus. Christina is serving as edi-

tor of The Front Street Journal and Patty is serving as the Phi Theta Kappa

President. Both have families and other obligations. Participation is one of

the keys in their being recognized for scholarships and awards.

Why am I telling you this? We need several officers for next year’s Phi Theta

Kappa officer team. Serving as an officer does, of course, require a commit-

ment of time and effort. Everything worthwhile requires that, right? However,

there are many rewards in serving as an officer as well. You work with faculty

and staff, you “network” with others, you get to practice valuable leadership

and service skills, and all of these can lead to a host of benefits. Think about

it. What are your talents and strengths? How can you use them to serve

others?

From the Advisor’s Desk: