Phi Theta Kappa Joins National Efforts to Promote Civic Engagement
Minneapolis, MN-Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society of the two-year college committed today to joining the ongoing national efforts to promote civic engagement in higher education. This announcement was made at the organization's annual convention being held over the next three days in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The convention attracts more than 3,500 community college students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni.

"We galvanize our effective programs, our collective and diverse human resources at more than 1,200 community colleges, and our mission of excellence to further civic engagement in America. From this moment forth, we will not only be known as the best that community colleges have to offer, but we will be further characterized by our drive as civic-minded scholars," Rod A. Risley, Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director stated in remarks before the convention.

George Boggs, president of the American Association of Community Colleges commended Phi Theta Kappa for making civic engagement a priority. "There is no better way to improve the health of communities across America than to encourage the individual's responsibility for service. Phi Theta Kappa has a history of promoting civic engagement through its many programs, and it has the capacity to make an even bigger difference by engaging our finest students in this commitment," expressed Dr. Boggs. Phi Theta Kappa's chapters, located at community colleges throughout the United States and abroad, include some 250,000 active members, with nearly 100,000 new members inducted annually, making it the fastest growing honor society in higher education.

This focused commitment is being well received within the educational community. Mark Davis of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a Phi Theta Kappa partner in recognizing outstanding student achievement, pointed out how much Phi Theta Kappa has done already to promote civic engagement. "When we consider the scope and reach of this organization and its reputation for shaping and changing the lives of students, the expanded impact of their commitment will be exceptional."

Phi Theta Kappa will use its extensive portfolio of student programs to promote civic engagement through newspaper readership, voter awareness, leadership development, which includes service-learning opportunities, and the recognition of best practices through awards and in organizational publications.

USA TODAY newspaper and Phi Theta Kappa jointly launched the Community College Readership Program as a component of its civic engagement strategy. This program promotes civic engagement through newspaper readership. Diane Barrett, USA TODAY Director of Education Programs heralded the timeliness of this announcement. "The time to engage this generation as active participants in American democracy is now. Relevant and timely information found in daily newspapers encourages critical thinking and decision-making."

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year and community colleges in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually in the Society's 1,200 chapters.

Dr. Christine Case of Skyline College Named Recipient of 2004 Mosal Award
Jackson, MS-- Dr. Christine Case, professor of Biology at Skyline College in San Bruno, California, was selected as the recipient of the 2004 Phi Theta Kappa Mosal Award for her scholarly achievements in the field. Dr. Case will receive $5,000 to use toward the completion of a scholarly project.

The Mosal Award, established in 1984, is named for the longtime Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa, Margaret Mosal. It is the Society's most prestigious honor for faculty members that serve as chapter advisors. The award recognizes outstanding professional achievement and encourages and supports individual growth through professional development.
Dr. Case, the Beta Theta Omicron Chapter advisor at Skyline College since 1999, has received the Paragon Award for her outstanding work as an advisor. Dr. Case has received numerous other awards for teaching and community service, including the California Community College Hayward Excellence in Teaching Award, the Community College Faculty Award, given by the Northern California American Society for Microbiology; and the Women-Helping-Women Award, given by Soroptimists International of the Americas.

She has amassed an impressive academic record. She has authored numerous publications and several textbooks, including her most recent Microbiology: An Introduction (8th Edition). She has also received research and project grants from such organizations as the Department of Defense and the Genentech Foundation. Dr. Case also served as a speaker for both the 2002 Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute and the 2002 Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Scholar Conference.

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year and community colleges in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually in the Society's 1,200 chapters.

30 Phi Theta Kappa Members Receive Leaders of Promise Scholarship

Jackson, MS - Thirty Phi Theta Kappa members in 17 different states have been named recipients of the 2004 Phi Theta Kappa Leaders of Promise Scholarship. All scholars receive scholarships of $1000 to further their associate degree studies. The 2004 winners were selected from 380 applicants at 262 colleges.

The purpose of the Leaders of Promise scholarship program is the premier award granting new Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources to help defray educational expenses while enrolled at a two-year college. The program also provides opportunity and encourages students to assume leadership roles by participating in society programs.

"This is a noteworthy honor because it recognizes the potential success of outstanding students," explains Rod A. Risley, Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director. "These students are smart and committed to improving their communities. In that sense, all 30 are a real credit to the type of students not only at their colleges, but at community colleges everywhere."

The 2004 Leaders of Promise Scholarship Recipients are:

Tahera Ahmad, Elgin Community College, Illinois
Kelly Albrecht, Montgomery County Community College, Pennsylvania
Gina Bramlitt, Itawamba Community College, Mississippi
Bernard Casey, San Diego City College, California
Brittany Cerny, Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma
Teresa Daniels, Cuyahoga Community College, Ohio
Ana Dragan, Valencia Community College, Florida
Lauren Eade, Chipola College, Florida
Debbie Fisher, Stark State College of Technology, Ohio
Michelle Golden, Young Harris College, Georgia
Deanna Grogan, Mesa Community College, Arizona
J. Marie Hicks, Riverside Community College, California
Teresa Hicks, Terra Community College, Ohio
Crystal Hilborn, Southeast Arkansas College, Arkansas
Melinda Hornback, Ivy Tech State College-Kokomo, Indiana
Christopher Kneidek, College of DuPage, Illinois
Keri Lewis, St. Petersburg College, Florida
Sherri Lovria, Genesee Community College, New York
John Lynch, Lower Community College, Washington
Vanessa Maia, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa
Daniel Martin, South Suburban College of Cook County, Illinois
Pedro Molinar, El Paso Community College, Texas
Brittany Norman, Holmes Community College, Mississippi
Amanda Rentz, Chipola College, Florida
Vicki Tims, Okaloosa-Walton Community College, Florida
Alice Wagner, Pima Community College, Arizona
Karen Wallace, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Mississippi
Faye Woffenden-Phillips, Middlesex Community College, Massachusetts
Bernard Zdancewicz, Halifax Community College, North Carolina
Lou Zmroczek, Reading Area Community College, Pennsylvania


Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year and community colleges in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually in the Society's 1,200 chapters.

Phi Theta Kappa Appoints Two Interim Regional Coordinators
Jackson, MS - Dr. Humphrey Lee, college president at Northwest-Shoals Community College, and Carrie Gleasman, Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo in New Mexico, have been appointed Interim Coordinator for the Alabama and New Mexico Regions by Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director, Rod A. Risley.
Each of Phi Theta Kappa's 29 regions is directed by a Regional Coordinator who is also an experienced chapter advisor or administrator. Regional Coordinators facilitate the integral relationship among chapters in the region, between Headquarters and the chapters and between Phi Theta Kappa and the two-year colleges within the region.

Lee and Gleasman's appointment followed a review of nominations submitted by advisors and college presidents in their regions. Lee has served as college president at Northwest-Shoals Community College since January 2003. Prior to his appointment to president at Northwest-Shoals Community College, Lee served as college president at Shelton State Community College. Gleasman has served as Phi Theta Kappa advisor of the Alpha Nu Beta Chapter at New Mexico State University-Alamogordo since August 2002.

"Serving as Interim Regional Coordinator provides significant professional leadership opportunities and significant exposure for the individual's college," said Rod A. Risley, Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director. "Education leaders throughout the state will come to respect their leadership ability, as we have at Phi Theta Kappa. Humphrey and Carrie's participation in Phi Theta Kappa's international conferences and programs will position them in the educational arena as an institution that is committed to providing students and faculty with quality academic programming."

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year and community colleges in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually in the Society's 1,200 chapters.

50 Phi Theta Kappa Members Receive National Dean's List Scholarships
The National Dean's List is a prestigious compilation of honor students in two-year and four-year degree programs. By virtue of membership in Phi Theta Kappa, all new inductees are automatically nominated for the National Dean's List. All 50 recipients are chosen by random search to receive a scholarship.

The 2004 National Dean's List Scholarship Recipients are:
Doreen Aristy, North Shore Community College, Massachusetts
Danilo Artez, Fox Valley Technical College, Wisconsin
Charlene Boyd, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Pennsylvania
Heather Brock, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Michigan
Michael Buckberry, South Plains College, Texas
Peggy Burns, Delta College, Michigan
Travis Cain, Mesa Community College, Arizona
Emily Chavarriaga, Miami-Dade College, Florida
Rossella Chiolini, San Diego City College, California
Rhonda Clark, Gadsden State Community College, Alabama
Alisha Cory, Bossier Parish Community College, Louisiana
Cathy Curtis, Trocaire College, New York
Beverly Deaver, Coastal Carolina Community College, North Carolina
Angelina Ferris, ECPI College of Technology, Virginia
Lorita Gregg, Bellevue Community College, Washington
Gregory Griffith, Big Sandy Community & Technical College, Kentucky
Kelli Harwood, Ozarks Technical Community College, Missouri
Andrea Hitch, Mt. Hood Community College, Oregon
Sophia Hoell, Hesser College, New Hampshire
Shirley Hurst, North Florida Community College, Florida
Gayle Iizaki, Honolulu Community College, Hawaii
Mary Jonas, Hocking College, Ohio
Alicia Jones, Ivy Tech State College, Indiana
Karen Jones, Lenoir Community College, North Carolina
Kevin Jones, Front Range Community College, Colorado
Lillian Kelly, Dodge City Community College, Kansas
Katerina Kruzykowski, Westchester Community College, New York
William Lomax, Victor Valley Community College, California
Erica Maddox, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, Alabama
Toni Molloy, Southeast Community College, Nebraska
Lauren Neal, Iowa Western Community College, Iowa
Elizabeth Ramsey, Northern Virginia Community College, Virginia
Nancy Rathbun, Oklahoma State University - Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Jhoana Rios, St. Louis Community College, Missouri
Leonard Robinson, Community College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Roberta Rodriguez, Clovis Community College, New Mexico
Kelly Ryun, Chemeketa Community College, Oregon
Tina Shrum, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Tennessee
Davine Summers, Wharton County Junior College, Texas
Mary Tasa, North Hennepin Community College, Minnesota
Melissa Taylor, Kishwaukee College, Illinois
Nadine Toko, Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia
Spring Tomkins, Des Moines Area Community College, Iowa
Scott Turley, Eastern Arizona College, Arizona
Eric Wagenhals, Highline Community College, Washington
Judy Wedermyer, Johnson County Community College, Kansas
Bobby White, Sinclair Community College, Ohio
Tamara Whitlow, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas, Arkansas
Caitlin Wright, Holmes Community College, Mississippi
Kristin Wright, Lake Land College, Illinois

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor society serving two-year and community colleges in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually in the Society's 1,200 chapters.