ESCC Chapter Enjoys an Eventful Semester

Your Eastern Shore Community College has watched our chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) have an amazing spring which culminated with an induction ceremony of twenty-eight new members on Monday, April 25^th.  The event drew a full house at Workforce Development Services on campus in Melfa, as the Alpha Pi Chi Chapter capped off what had been an incredible month of activity.

PTK was established by two-year college presidents in Missouri in 1918.  It serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership, and service programming.

April began with the news of ESCC’s PTK chapter receiving the prestigious honor of the “REACH” award which acknowledges chapters that excel in membership development.  PTK Faculty Advisor Christina Duffman commented that “This could never have happened without the support of the college’s administration, staff, and faculty. Most importantly, we recognize our diligent students who are extremely proud of this major accomplishment.”

Next on the extraordinary stretch of successes came the club’s participation in the 2022 International PTK Convention entitled “Catalyst.” This event brought together members, advisors, and their supporters for professional development and celebration in Denver, Colorado, from April 7-9. Attending were Faculty Advisor Christina Duffman, and ESCC PTK officers, President Joseph Robinette, Vice-President Meagan Broadwater, Secretary Madison Gibbons, and Treasurer Macy Richardson.  Esteemed member Keegan Finken also attended in recognition of recent honors.

Chapter President Joseph Robinette came away from “Catalyst” with an appreciation for the knowledge shared in the presentations. “I was really impressed with the messages of how trial and error and role play can help you achieve greatness. They taught us that in order to innovate you must play with ideas in order to solve problems, large or small.” Robinette says the event exceeded all his expectations and left a lasting impression on the way he’ll approach challenges in the future.

“Not many people expect to go to a community college and come out with so many new experiences and a family,” Vice-President Meagan Broadwater said. She continued: “ESCC and PTK have provided me with an opportunity that would not have been possible anywhere else. I was able to see new places, meet new people, and learn so many new things.”

Madison Gibbons is the PTK Secretary at ESCC and felt a bond formed with her fellow members. “I met so many new people that came to be great friends, and while we were there our group got closer and became a family. We grew into better people and heard so many amazing stories to inspire and help us grow our own PTK to become even better and greater.”

Macy Richardson serves as Chapter Secretary.  She noted, “This opportunity to travel on behalf of Eastern Shore Community College and represent our small college at the PTK Catalyst was a once in a lifetime experience! The energy and enthusiasm that other PTK chapters brought was amazing. We want to bring back the enthusiasm and engagement to ESCC and the Eastern Shore community!”

Keegan Finken reflected on the convention saying, “I gained a newfound sense of truly belonging to PTK. I also realized the sheer magnitude of students involved in PTK around the country!” Keegan’s PTK success story continued on April 20, when he attended a PTK Luncheon with ESCC President, Dr. Jim Shaeffer, in Richmond.  There he received accolades as an All-USA Academic Team Scholar and Member.

Understandably proud of the chapter’s success in 2022, ESCC President Dr. Jim Shaeffer remarked, “What a great year for PTK!  Under Christina Duffman’s leadership, our PTK club has expanded membership and won the REACH award for attracting new members.  They enjoyed a successful trip to the annual meeting in Denver, and I personally had the opportunity to travel to Richmond and celebrate Keegan Finken’s recognition at the statewide PTK celebration. Simply an outstanding year for our PTK chapter.”