October Events

Scholarships! October is the time for those graduating next year to take ad-

vantage of scholarship opportunities. One of the biggest opportuni-

ties is the ALL-USA All-PA competition. RACC can nominate only

two students for this scholarship.

The Phi Theta Kappa website explains, “The All-USA Academic

Team program annually recognizes 60 outstanding two-year college

students. First, Second, and Third Teams, each consisting of 20

members, are selected. The 20 First Team members receive stipends

of $2,500 each.”

(Go to http://scholarships.ptk.org/aaat/announce.htm for more in-

formation.) The top scoring student in Pennsylvania is named a

New Century Scholar and receives $2,000. In addition, our RACC

candidates receive a two-year full scholarship to any state university

in Pennsylvania.

The application is an online process (see www.ptk.org) and will

be open on October 1. The application requires several parts, in-

cluding letters of recommendation, lists of activities, and a brief es-

say, so it is important to work quickly to complete the application

by the local deadline of November 19.

October 2012 Volume 9, Issue 2

Phi Theta Kappa News Reading Area Community College

Alpha Sigma Rho

Inside this Issue:

Scholarships

RACCy Olympics

October Events

Advisors Column

Advisors Column

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Alpha Sigma Rho Chapter

Reading Area Community College

Benefits and Responsibilities

When we invite members to join the chapter, we send a list of benefits and re-

sponsibilities, as above. Many students join because of those benefits, of course.

As an advisor, I need to remind members of the main responsibility: to maintain

a 3.5 GPA. If your GPA falls below the 3.5, as noted on your application, you

must notify the chapter advisor immediately. You are given a one semester

“grace period” to raise the GPA to the 3.5. If the GPA remains below the 3.5, the

advisor must notify headquarters to revoke the membership, resulting in that per-

son not being eligible for Phi Theta Kappa scholarships and not being able to

wear the stole and tassel at graduation. If you find you are struggling in some of

your courses, it is important to avail yourself of extra help from the instructor,

from peer study groups, or from the tutoring center. The RACC community

wants to help you succeed and meet your commitment to complete your educa-

tion goals and graduate as a Phi Theta Kappa member.

Benefits of Phi Theta Kappa Membership

Scholarship opportunities

Phi Theta Kappa seal on diploma

Golden Key Membership Pin

Membership certificate and ID Card

National Dean’s List recognition

Entry in Phi Theta Kappa scholarship database

Option of wearing Phi Theta Kappa gold stole

and tassel for graduation

Opportunities for leadership, service, and fel-

lowship on local, regional, international level

Responsibilities of Phi Theta Kappans

Payment of lifetime Phi Theta Kappa membership fee of

$55.00

Payment of regional fee of $5.00

Payment of local chapter fee of $10.00

Total fees: $70.00

Maintenance of GPA of 3.5 or higher with one term grace

period to raise GPA to 3.5 should it drop below

Search www.ptk.org for more information

For chapter information, see http://www.racc.edu/

StudentActivities/PTK/default.aspx

Page 2 Phi Theta Kappa News

The RACCy Olympics is an afternoon filled with crazy and

unique games where teams of students and staff compete for

an overall title. There are plenty of opportunities for the teams

to fundraise throughout the year and each team member is en-

couraged to raise a minimum $100. Some of this year's fund-

raisers included selling coupon books, a student parking space

raffle, Breakfast with Santa, rummage sale, candy bar

sales, and a roller skating party.

Come join us for a RACCy Olympics information meeting

on November 2nd at 2pm in the SUB 102 (multipurpose

room). There will be a free raffle with prizes for all team

members attending the meeting.

RACCy Olympics!

Page 3 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.

Chapter Officers:

Mary Portalatin

President

Jed Holzmacher

Vice President

Rebecca Krisher

Secretary

Topher King

Public Relations

Secretary

Dr. Donna Singleton

Advisor