Phi Theta Kappa Milestones
1918: Society founded at Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri
1919: First Convention held
1921: The First Phi Theta Kappa pin is designed
Phi Theta Kappa's first membership pin was a triangular design edged in pearls. A replica of this pin is now presented to each outgoing International Officer.
1923: The Phi Theta Kappa song, submitted by Epsilon Chapter, adopted
Epsilon Chapter at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, proposed the adoption of an official song, beginning with "Give Us Wisdom…" The song was adopted and remains the official song. Epsilon, a charter chapter, is now the oldest chapter in operation.
1924: The Phi Theta Kappa seal adopted
1926: Kappa Chapter, St. Joseph Junior College, chartered (first chapter at a coeducational school). Mu Chapter, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, chartered (first outside Missouri)
1929: Official recognition granted by the American Association of Junior Colleges, now known as the American Association of Community Colleges
1930: Margaret James, Upsilon Chapter, Whitworth College, Brookhaven, Mississippi, elected National President.
The Golden Key membership pin is adopted
The Golden Key became Phi Theta Kappa's official emblem and the design for the membership pin. The Key is a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom. Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words meaning phronimon (Phi), thumos (Theta), katharotes (Kappa) and meaning wisdom, aspiration and purity. Behind the band is a wreath, on one side composed of oak leaves, and on the other, of laurel. The wreath of oak leaves denotes stability and strength of character, and the curling leaves of laurel signify 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.
1935: Margaret James Mosal becomes National Secretary
1956: Dr. Mosal's title changed to Executive Secretary-Treasurer, the Society's first full-time position
1960: First Presidents Breakfast held during an AAJC (now AACC) Convention
1964: Phi Theta Kappa establishes first National Office (Headquarters building)
1966: First Regional Convention held
1967: First Board of Directors named. Dr. Mosal's title becomes Executive Director
1968: First Honors Institute held at Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts, to commemorate 50th anniversary
1969: Regional organizations established, Regional Advisors (now known as Regional Coordinators) selected
1974: Rod A. Risley, Mu Omicron, San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas, elected National President
1975: First transfer scholarship designated specifically for a Phi Theta Kappa member awarded by Florida Atlantic University
1976: First alumni chapter chartered. Phi Theta Kappa moves to new Headquarters Building
1977: Rod A. Risley joins Headquarters staff as Director of Alumni Affairs
1985: Rod A. Risley becomes Executive Director. Dr. Mosal named Executive Director Emeritus
1986: Headquarters operations become computerized
1987: Orlowski Scholarship established, in memory of Steve Orlowski, Theta Omega, Wilbur Wright College, Chicago, Illinois, 1986-87 North Central Vice President. Eta Nu, Most Distinguished Chapter, St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, Florida, advisors Steve Meier and Lars Hafner and the Executive Director are received in the Oval Office by President Reagan
1988: Phi Theta Kappa reaches all 50 states with the chartering of Alpha Xi Beta, Clark County Community College, now known as Community College of Southern Nevada
1989: Distinguished Student Scholar Program, now known as the All-USA Academic Team for Community, Technical and Junior Colleges established
1990: 3.5 PLUS first published. Headquarters operations move to Jackson, Mississippi. Leadership Development Program begins.
1991: First international chapter, Alpha Tau Delta, is chartered at Medicine Hat College, Alberta, Canada. Phi Theta Kappa charters 1,000 th chapter, Mount Royal College, Alberta, Canada. Phi Theta Kappa forms working partnership with Phi Beta Kappa, senior college honor society. First Guistwhite Scholarships awarded
1992: First National Dean's List Scholarships awarded. $1.8 million grant awarded to the Leadership Program by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director addresses Triennial Convention of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Phi Theta Kappa's Washington, D.C. Office opens. 25th Honors Institute held at the College of the Holy Cross
1999: Dr. George Vaughan is named Facilitator of The Alpha Project, Phi Theta Kappa's long-range planning initiative introduced at the 1999 International Convention in Anaheim. Town Meetings to gather information for The Alpha Project are conducted at seven regional meetings. All constituencies are invited to participate through a weekly Alpha Project Question of the Week on the web site, through an on-line live Forum and through written surveys.
The first senior institution transfer scholarship in Arkansas specifically designated for Phi Theta Kappa members is established at John Brown University.
The gold Advisor Recognition Pin, shown for the first time at the International Convention, becomes a new benefit sent automatically to all chapter advisors.
A record 408 chapters participate in the Hallmark Awards Program.
A total of 78 chapters meet their Journey Challenge Goals by April 1 and are recognized at the International Convention in Anaheim.
Carol Rasco, Director of America Reads for the US Department of Education, is named an International Honorary Member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Iowa becomes Phi Theta Kappa's 29th Region.
USA TODAY, the United States Information Agency and the National Association of Counties have joined five other prestigious Washington, D.C., agencies offering Phi Theta Kappa summer internships.
For the first time ever, college presidents will receive detailed information concerning their campus Phi Theta Kappa chapters, in a special mailing designed to illustrate the correlation between administrative support and chapter success. Chapter "Progress Reports," compiled by states, allow presidents to measure their chapters' achievements in membership reporting and program participation, by listing such demographics as advisor release time, advisor compensation, line item budget for the chapter and attendance at Society regional and international meetings.
The Society's Presidential Ambassadors, who act as liaisons between Phi Theta Kappa and their fellow college presidents in their states or regions, meet for the first time ever at the Center for Excellence. Dr. David Pierce, president of the American Association of Community Colleges and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, is a special guest.
International President Stephanie Wright serves as a panelist for a national teleconference on literacy, as part of the "America Reads" International Service Program.
Legendary opera star Beverly Sills headlines Phi Theta Kappa's first Evening of Arts and Authors, held at the Center for Excellence to benefit the Society's scholarship fund.
1999-2000: International Officers announce "TC2K," an opportunity for chapters and regions to contribute items reflective of current society to a time capsule to be buried on the grounds of the Center for Excellence and unearthed in 2025.
The number of senior institution scholarship partners increase to 485 in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Together they offer scholarships in excess of $30 million annually.
2000: Changes enacted in the Guistwhite Program, designed to broaden the scope and visibility of the awards, result in record numbers of applicants. The changes extend eligibility to members planning to attend senior institutions as full-time students and allow All-USA Academic Team nominees who are members to simultaneously apply for Guistwhite Scholarships. The deadline for submitting Guistwhite applications is also changed to coincide with the All-USA deadline.
Phi Theta Kappa becomes a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
Journey Challenge 2000 is launched by the 1999-2000 International Officers. Following the success of Journey Challenge 1999, chapters are again asked to review and enhance their recruitment and orientation procedures to ensure that all eligible students understand the benefits of Society membership.
The Alpha Project Report is presented at the Convention of the Millennium in Orlando.
Oceanographer and deep-sea explorer Sylvia Earle, and St. Louis Mayor and former Police Chief Clarence Harmon are chosen Distinguished Alumni for 2000.
The Leaders of Promise Scholarships of $500 each, Phi Theta Kappa's first scholarships to fund associate degree studies, are established.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $1,000 Centennial Scholar awards to the top Academic Team nominees in each state to commemorate the 100th anniversary of community colleges.
2001: The Pinnacle Award Program, to recognize chapters and regions that increase their induction numbers, is established.
The Coca-Cola Foundation permanently establishes the $1,000 New Century Scholar awards to the top All-USA Team nominee in each state.
The Society's first Millennium Directory is published.
Visionary, an annual magazine celebrating the accomplishments of the Society and its members is published for the first time.
The National Honor Society invites Phi Theta Kappa to host a session at its annual Convention.
2002: The National Collegiate Honors Council invites Phi Theta Kappa to present a general session program on the Satellite Seminars at the NCHC Convention.
Project Graduation, a program alleviating hunger and illiteracy by asking graduates and guests to bring canned goods and books to commencement ceremonies, becomes an international Society program.
Headquarters staff members are recognized for their years of service to the Society.
A total of 33 states now honor All-State Academic Teams, and three more states are expected to participate within a year.
Mosal Awards guidelines are revised to increase the number of eligible advisors from 120 to over 800.
The colors of Phi Theta Kappa are blue, for scholarship, and gold, for purity.
