Several CCC students participated in the annual Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony held on May 1 in the Spencer/Rounds Theatre.
Members and guests of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College celebrated their 19th annual recognition celebration on Sunday, May 1. The event was held at 2:00 p.m. in the Spencer/Rounds Theatre. Chapter President Colter Comstock served as master of ceremonies. Chapter alumnus Jesus Medina and Kansas/Nebraska President Curtis Walters of Beta Omega, Independence Community College, served as marshals for the processional of new inductees and chapter graduates. Singing of the national anthem was presented by Isaac Pena, music major and new chapter inductee. Greetings from the Eta Gamma Chapter were delivered by Colter Comstock while Curtis Walters brought greetings from the region and CCC Dean of Student Life, Ryan McCune, brought greetings from the College Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, and staff.
The official program began with media presentations including “Reflections and Memories from 2015-2016” produced by Jesus Medina and “Operation Christmas Child” produced by Reina Garcia. The keynote address was delivered by Wendy Schmidt-Strukel who shared “My Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James.” Ms. Strukel shared pictures of her 500 mile trip walking from St. Jean Pied de Portin in France to Santiago, Spain where it is believed the remains of the apostle St. James are entombed.
Linda McFate, chapter advisor, presented Five Star Competitive Edge Completion pins to Victoria Smith, Morgan Porter, Reina Garcia, Karen Sue McKenzie, Tanner Vieyra, Cristin Shepard and Lisha Lamb. Mrs. McFate announced that former chapter president, Eric Mueller, has been awarded the $20,000 Boren Award for study abroad which Eric will use to travel to Japan later this year. Reina Garcia was introduced as the recipient of two scholarships sponsored by the Hispanic community. She is also a finalist for the prestigious Pearson Scholarship and will receive a full scholarship to Jackson State University. Colter Comstock was introduced as both the region and international Most Outstanding Chapter Officer. He was also the recipient of a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar Award for which 1,900 members had applied. Garcia and Comstock represented CCC on the All Kansas Academic Team.
The induction ceremony for new members was presented by Colter Comstock, Reina Garcia, Jesus Medina, Evalys Azuara, and Linda McFate. Each inductee was introduced and received a white rose, symbol of the Society. Eta Gamma’s spring 2016 inductees included: Coffeyville, Tomecca Andrews, Brandi Beeson, Katelynn Castleman, Connor Crutchfield, Waly Elifrance, Marquavis Gibbs, Courtney Hambleton, Marley Harrison, Emma Herkelman, Bradley Hershey, Bailey Jackson, BriA’na Lewis, Alyssa Long, Sonja Mark, Michael McFarland, Jacob Mitchell, Andres Mora, Rebecca Mullen, Cole Murphy, Alexi Nolen, Paxton Noil, Grant Nutter, Christabel Okeke, Keylis Parra Martinez, Isaac Pena, Nichole Polk, Mitchell Reitz, Meaghan Rettele, Matheus Ribeiro, Cole Sanderson, Jared Sleppy, Parker Smejkal, Richard Smith, Stephanie Smith, Shaniqua Stevens, Gareth Stroh, Bradley Thornton, Janelli Torres, Nicholas Westervelt, Abigail Wilkinson, Edward Williams, and Terrence Williams. From Cherokee, Truman Buckley; from Caney, Russell Cashman, Jordan Dodson, Timothy Munday, and Kristin Ryan; from Independence, Shelby Corn, Kristopher Kuszak and Wendy Mejia Neri. From Wichita, Courtney Crane; from Waco, Texas, Michael Galvan; South Coffeyville, Melanie Hagebusch, and Havana, John Michael Jabben and Wesley Merritt. From Tulsa, Karen Sue McKenzie; Columbus, Ryder Mathes and Walker, Louisiana, Eric James.
Ryan McCune, Curtis Walters, and Jesus Medina, directed the presentation of stoles, tassels, and diploma seals to the graduating sophomores which include: Evalys Azuara, Brandi Beeson, Bailey Braschler, Shelbi Buettgenbach, Russell Cashman, Eleora Coward, Tyler Cox, Imari Davis, Cheyenne Delano, Julia Dierker, Waly Elifrance, Joshua Fisher Amanda Freeman, Reina Garcia, Marley Harrison, Riona Hayase, Amber Henry, John Michael Jabben, Madison Keene, Larisa Lloyd, Alexander Long, Igor Luczensky, Polette Medina, Abby Meek, Natalie Nelson, Taylor Oestmann, Christabel Okeke, Chace Owen, Olivia Palmer, Nichole Polk, Morgan Porter, Koby Pugh, Colton Reed, Andrew Samuels, Cole Sanderson, Casey Shepard, Richard Smith, Stephanie Smith, Victoria Smith, Molly Stevenson, Yvonne Tapea, Erasmo Tejeda, Matthew Tomey, Janelli Torres, Rachael Trapp, Tanner Vieyra, Elizabeth Villanueva, Lisa Walthall, Rachel White, Melody Wood, and Courtney Zeigler.
Concluding the afternoon festivities was the installation of the 2016-2017 Chapter Officers including president, Lisha Lamb; Co-Vice Presidents of Scholarship, Meaghan Rettele and Courtney Crane; Co-Vice Presidents of Service, Cristin Shepard and Tomecca Andrews; Co-vice presidents of Fellowship, Karen McKenzie and Michael Galvan; Secretary, Courtney Hambleton; Treasurer, Kenny Dodson, Vice President of Communications, Ray Darbro; Vice President of Membership, Wendy Mejia Neri; Vice President of Public Relations, Tim Munday; Vice President of International Students, Andres Mora, and Vice President of Alumni Relations; Russell Cashman.
A reception honoring the inductees, graduates, and their guests was held following the event with Irene Guest, Victoria Smith, and Morgan Porter as hostesses.