June 2000 Issue

Beginning in 2001, Phi Theta Kappa will launch “Leaders of Promise,” the Society’s first scholarship program available to members to be used during the time they are enrolled in their community colleges.

First announced during the 2000 International Convention in Orlando, the Leaders of Promise scholarships will be available for the 2001-02 academic year. A total of 10 scholarships of $500 each will be awarded, based on applications submitted by members.

“We proudly announce Phi Theta Kappa’s first scholarship opportunity benefiting members while they are enrolled in their two-year institutions,” said Society Executive Director Rod A. Risley. “It is our vision that this new initiative will not only assist our members in obtaining their associate’s degrees, but will also encourage new members to assume positions of leadership in Phi Theta Kappa.”

Risley said the concept of scholarships for students in their associate’s degree programs was a result of The Alpha Project, a yearlong effort to determine the Society’s future directions. The 1999-2000 International Officer team played a key role in shaping the structure of the Leaders of Promise program, he said.

The International Officers, assisted by alumni, promoted the launching of the new scholarship program and raised more than $15,000 for the scholarship fund during the Orlando International Convention, Risley noted. Additionally, the Middle States and Carolinas Regions issued a challenge to all regions to match up to $1,000 of those funds raised by chapters within their regions for the Leaders of Promise program. The Middle States, Carolinas, Minn-wi-kota, Texas and Florida Regions have each contributed $1,000 toward the fund. “We will continue to seek contributions to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation to increase annually the endowment for the Leaders of Promise scholarships,” said Risley, “which will enable us to increase the number of scholarships awarded each year."

Applications for Leaders of Promise Scholarships will be available in the spring of 2001. Each applicant must also submit a 500-word essay on “What I Expect to Gain through Participation in Phi Theta Kappa,” as well as a letter of recommendation from a faculty member at the applicant’s community college, attesting to the applicant’s leadership potential.

To be eligible to apply, a student must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa in good standing and currently enrolled in an associate’s degree program, with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on all associate degree course work. Part-time and full-time students are eligible. Students who have completed more than 30 hours of course work and students already holding degrees from community colleges or senior institutions are not eligible. Members enrolled in transfer and technical programs are eligible to apply. The deadline for receipt of applications at International Headquarters will be May 1, 2001. Independent judges will review applications and determine the 10 recipients, who will be notified by September 1, 2001.

For information on the Leaders of Promise program, contact Director of Scholarship Programs Clancy Mitchell at 800.946.9995, ext. 560. For information on contributing to the Leaders of Promise and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, contact Director of Development Linda Kay Myrick at ext. 537.