Phi Theta Kappa
Alpha Sigma Phi, Clark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa celebrated its new 424 members at the 2023 Induction Ceremony on the evening of June 1. About 120 new members will graduate this spring term.
The official Honors Society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Clark’s first PTK induction ceremony was in 1991. And it has been a five-star chapter for 27 out of 32 years since its inception.
From the podium, Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards welcomed the scholars.
Looking around the room, she said, “Congratulations on your achievements! I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. I look forward to seeing how you will impact the world.”
Guest Speaker Clark College Trustee Rekah Strong spoke about being raised by a hardworking single mom in Northeast Portland. Their family lived in public housing. She remembers the shame of standing in the grocery store checkout line while her mom paid with food stamps.
“Always honor where you came from,” she said.
Trustee Strong said that her mother instilled in her the value of education, but she wasn’t equipped to guide her. She enrolled in Clark College and worked to improve her grade point average.
“The beauty of community college is that you have people who will wrap around you and show you the way,” she said.
Trustee Strong told the students, “You already understand that excelling in your academic life opens doors for you. You’ve found the internal tenacity, the internal drive. Make sure you hold onto that. It makes me excited how every one of you will influence this community.”
Interim Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jim Wilkins-Luton did a show-and-tell with his martial arts white belt and black belt. He challenged students to consider what their own black belt journey—a long-held goal or dream—might be.
He asked, “What’s one thing you can do tomorrow to start your black belt journey?”
Michelle Lowery, Clark alumni and past PTK officer, told students the value of PTK and how it influenced her life. She said, “I want to thank the PTK members who helped me to see the good I can do.”
2022-23 officers are Eliza Butters, Jasdeep Atwal, Lizbet Jimenez, Kaylee Bathe, Lexi Kneipp, Meridian Bonser, and Leo Sanchez.
2023-24 incoming officers are Ziyad El Amrani, Kristin Mahan, Addison Johnson, Fennic Tatum, Nikhil Saahgal, and Natalie Perdun.
Advisors are Darci Feider and Heather Leasure.
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the official Honors Society for two-year colleges. Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. More than 3.5 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges. Learn more at https://www.ptk.org/
Photos: Clark College/Maureen Chan-Hefflin