The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
October 2000
Issue
More than $100,000 in Scholarships Available: Deadline
December 1!
We Could Not Have Done It Without You!
The development of lifelong friendships and leadership skills, the realization of scholarship opportunities and the achievement of personal and professional goals are but a handful of the things members attribute to their association with Phi Theta Kappa.
For many recipients of the All-USA Academic Team and Guistwhite scholarships, active involvement in Phi Theta Kappa made the difference. Take a look at how Phi Theta Kappa had a hand in creating these success stories!
Di Braun
1997 Guistwhite Scholar
For Di Braun of Sitka, Alaska, Phi Theta Kappa membership helped make attending the college of his dreams a reality. “I can’t even begin to measure the self-confidence I gained by learning the hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa and applying them to my life,” says Braun. “It was a direct result of my involvement in Phi Theta Kappa that led to my Guistwhite Scholarship. It would have been financially impossible for me to attend my school of choice, if I hadn’t received scholarships allowing me to bypass state universities and attend a private college. My degree is in Aquatic Resources with an emphasis on Freshwater Fisheries. Barely one year after graduating, I was employed by the Idaho Department of Fish & Game’s Endangered Salmon Hatchery in Eagle, Idaho, working in my field of study. This is definitely a dream come true!”
Jacqueline Couillard
1996 All-USA First Team Member
When Jacqueline Couillard of Auburn, Maine, returned to the classroom after almost 30 years, she found that what Phi Theta Kappa had in store for her would change her life. “I was just thinking of getting my associate degree and moving on,” says Couillard. “Membership in Phi Theta Kappa made me realize the importance of education and that I shouldn’t just settle for the associate degree. Phi Theta Kappa helped me academically by placing me with a group of people that considered academics as more than just a pastime for a few years. I continued my education at the University of Southern Maine and recently completed my coursework for a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety. I can tell you that I am proud and honored to have been a part of Phi Theta Kappa.”
Paul McKnight
1996 Guistwhite Scholar and All-USA First Team Member
For Paul McKnight of Edgewood, Illinois, a job change sent him on an adventure that keeps driving on! McKnight’s adventure began when his employer of 17 years shut down the automotive factory where he worked and he enrolled at John A. Logan College. “I signed up for one class with the strong expectation that I would hate it so much that I would drop out or that I would fail miserably,” says McKnight. “You can see how far I came... I selected Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to further my higher education. I received the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship at SIU. After graduation, I applied and was accepted to graduate school. The opportunities and experiences that I have gained from Phi Theta Kappa prepared me to accomplish my goals and objectives and redirect certain goals to succeed even higher. The four hallmark pillars were all areas that I needed help in and through Phi Theta Kappa I accomplished this. My future looks very bright thanks in large part to Phi Theta Kappa.”
Jamie Melton Richardson
1997 All-USA First Team Member
For Jamie Melton Richardson of College Station, Texas, Phi Theta Kappa membership meant an opportunity to be the best she could be. “Through Phi Theta Kappa, I was able to venture into realms of volunteering that I never would have otherwise,” says Richardson. “Phi Theta Kappa trained me to be the best that I can be. It molded me into a dedicated and confident lady, and that has carried over into my professional life. Phi Theta Kappa drives home the idea that a good worker has much more to do with who you are on the inside, than just accomplishing the task at hand. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa made me realize that I have a lot more to offer people than what meets the eye. Furthermore, it proved to me that teamwork accomplishes much more than selfish intentions.”
Katherine Windsor
1998 All-USA First Team Member
With Phi Theta Kappa, Katherine Windsor of Prescott, Arizona, found scholarships, professional development opportunities and excitement. “The Arizona Board of Regents provided full scholarships to the top 10 All-Arizona Academic Team members who were 1998 All-USA Academic Team competition nominees. I believe Phi Theta Kappa’s reputation had a lot to do with the Board of Regents’ decision to provide me with a full scholarship,” said Windsor. “A number of doors have been opened because of my local and national connections with Phi Theta Kappa. And of course, I could not thank Phi Theta Kappa enough for the opportunity to publish my first article in the fall 1999 issue of 3.5 Plus. Since then, I have been asked to write for the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities. I’ve been offered a position as an Executive Director for a state agency in Arizona. My goal to become a nurse practitioner would have taken a lethargic, indirect, and less exciting route without Phi Theta Kappa.”
Shannon Lacy
1997 Guistwhite Scholar and All-USA First Team Member
For Shannon Lacy of Canaseraga, New York, Phi Theta Kappa was a resume builder with an added punch! “Being a Guistwhite Scholar has been a useful resume-builder,” says Lacy, who used his scholarships to attend Cornell University. “However, a resume is nothing unless there is a real person with a good character, values, and goals behind it. Phi Theta Kappa helps to foster these characteristics, and, therefore, has helped in the achievement of my personal and academic goals. There is no doubt that involvement in Phi Theta Kappa has made it easier to achieve my goals. The financial assistance was absolutely critical. Phi Theta Kappa also helped me to create some key connections and instilled in me the confidence it took to tackle and reach my goals. I am sincerely grateful to Phi Theta Kappa!”
Now is the time for you to follow the lead of these outstanding scholars by applying for the All-USA Academic Team and the Guistwhite Scholarship Program. You could be our next success story!
Read about the All-USA Academic Team and the Guistwhite Scholarship Program.
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