Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (ΦΘΚ or PTK) is the international honor society of students attending open-access institutions and seeking associate degrees or other college credentials. Its headquarters is in Jackson, Mississippi, and it boasts more than 3.5 million members in nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations.

Phi Theta Kappa
ΦΘΚ
FoundedNovember 19, 1918 (November 19, 1918)
Stephens College
TypeHonorary
ScopeInternational
Colors  Blue and   Gold
SymbolGolden Key, Athena, Oak Leaves, Laurel Leaves
FlowerWhite Rose
Chapters1,275+
MembersOver 3.5 million collegiate
HallmarksScholarship, Leadership, Service, Fellowship
Headquarters1625 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211
USA
Websiteptk.org

Mission

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.

History, name, origin, and usage

The origin of Phi Theta Kappa can be traced back to Kappa Phi Omicron, an honor society established in 1910 at Stephens College in Missouri, a two-year college for women. As similar honor societies sprang up in the state, the college presidents and students of eight Missouri women's colleges came together in 1918 to create a single honor society with a unified mission — Phi Theta Kappa was born.

Phi Theta Kappa is named after Phi Beta Kappa, the international honor society for four-year colleges and universities, and it was modeled after many aspects of the prestigious senior college honor society.

The Greek letters "Phi Theta Kappa" stand for phronimon, thumos, and katharotes, meaning "wisdom," "aspiration," and "purity." "PTK" is acceptable on second reference, and members may be referred to as "Phi Theta Kappans."

The first chapter was chartered at a coeducational school, St. Joseph Junior College in Missouri, in 1926. The first chapter chartered outside Missouri was at Northeast Junior College in Oklahoma.

On November 19, 1929, the American Association of Junior Colleges (now the American Association of Community Colleges) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official national honor society for junior colleges. It is the only honor society to have received that distinction. Phi Theta Kappa celebrates its Founders Day on November 19 each year.

Symbols

The first membership pin was designed in 1921: a blue triangle containing the three Greek letters surrounded by pearls. The distinctive gold key[1] membership pin was adopted in 1930 and features a black enamel band upon which the three Greek letters appear. Behind the band is a wreath composed of oak leaves on one side, denoting stability and strength of character, and laurel on the other side, signifying achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, Goddess of Learning; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light, the light of learning, and knowledge.

The colors of the Society are blue, for scholarship, and gold, for purity.

Membership

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation only. Students must complete 12 hours of coursework toward an associate degree, 6 hours toward a one-year certificate, or 12 hours toward a bachelor's degree and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Local chapters may raise these eligibility standards.

Members are required to pay a one-time membership fee, which includes a $60 international fee. Regional and local chapter fees may be added to the international fee. There are no annual dues, and the membership is a lifetime membership.

Benefits of membership

Phi Theta Kappa partners with more than 750 four-year colleges and universities to offer more than $46 million in transfer scholarships exclusively to its members. PTK also partners with organizations and foundations to offer scholarships to help students complete associate, bachelor's, and masters' degrees and to help workforce-bound students pay certification costs.

Members can seek leadership positions in their local chapters, their regions, or on the international level, which bolsters their resume and provides leadership experience and professional development. PTK offers a free online program to help students develop job skills. Letters of recommendation are also available, as are discounts to national businesses. See PTK's partner offers and benefits.

Notable members

References
  1. "Graphic Standards". ptk.org. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
  2. "Evan Edinger | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  3. http://www.carolynemas.com/images/ptk2small_resized.jpg
  4. "COA student named to All-California Academic Team" (PDF). College of Alameda. April 2, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2008.
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