Eta Gamma members participate in a quiz bowl match while attending the Honors in Action Conference in Lincoln, Neb.
Members of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College attended the international Honor Society's Kansas/Nebraska Region Honors in Action Conference November 4-6. The three day event was held at the Corn Husker Marriott hotel in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. Following registration and check-in, the first general session featured Kevin Blackwell, faculty scholar, who addressed the conference theme, "How the World Works: Global Perspectives." An update from international Headquarters was presented by Monika Byrd, Dean of Leadership Development and Service Learning, Jackson, Mississippi. Members then met with their seminar groups during dinner and then had the opportunity to visit with representatives from Kansas and Nebraska colleges and universities regarding transfer scholarships during the College Fair.
The second general session was sponsored by Kansas State University and featured the regional Honors in Action Project as well as a keynote address, "How Financial Aid Works: Your Perspective" presented by Kelly Kirkpatrick, Director of Student Support Services at Labette Community College. The evening events consulted of a meeting of the seminar groups and game night in the great room.
November 5 featured the regional business meeting and an overview of the City as Text where members toured the Nebraska state capital with its beautiful murals and the Sheldon Museum of Art which featured an exhibit by Brooklyn-based multimedia artist, Saya Woolfalk who has spent a decade creating a fictional utopian universe that blends cultural anthropology, fantasy, and science fiction. Following lunch with their seminar groups, members attended break-out sessions featuring competitive Edge, Five Star Chapter Plan, fundraising, and College Project 101. Eta Gamma co-vice presidents of scholarship, Meaghan Rettele and Courtney Crane presented a break-out session, "The Birth of an Honors in Action Project" featuring the chapter's Honors in Action Project on Pilgrimages.
Chapter officers Crane and Rettele as well as Elia Saucedo, Zach Holman, and Wesley Merritt represented Eta Gamma in the region scholar bowl. Following a meeting of the seminar groups, members enjoyed an evening of fellowship at Champions Fun Center.
The conference concluded with a keynote address by DeMoine Adams, a former University of Nebraska stand-out football player who enjoyed five years of pro football and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University of Nebraska. He has a true passion for helping young people reach their full potential as leaders and winners in life.
Representing CCC at the conference were: Meaghan Rettele, Courtney Crane, Elia Saucedo, Lyric Brooks, Wesley Merritt, Jesus Medina, Zach Holman, Ryan Garrett, and chapter adviser Linda McFate, The next event for the chapter will be working in the international processing center of Operation Christmas Child during Thanksgiving Vacation.