Summer
2004 — Vol. 1, Issue 1
Click on the headlines to read the full
stories.
1. Ten Senior Institutions Establish
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships Since "Scholarship First" Initiative Was
Launched in September 2003
2. Presidents
Moeller and Meeks Co-Chair Scholarship Initiative
3. Ohio University Earmarks $105,300 for New
Scholarships
for
Honor Society
Members
4. President Young
Secures Scholarships at Defiance College
and University of
Findlay
5. Bluffton University to Offer New Scholarships
for Transferring Members
6. Dr. Rafinski is
Catalyst for New Scholarship at Wittenberg
University
7.
Cleveland State University Begins Aggressive Recruitment
of Ohio
Phi Theta
Kappans
8. Myers
University Offers Funds to Transfer Scholars
9. Dr. Moeller Helps to Develop Scholarships at Otterbein College
10. Ohio Wesleyan University Establishes Scholarships
for
Society Members
11. JCU
Commits $20,000 Annually to Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
12. Terry Thomas Honored at Phi Theta Kappa
International
Convention
• Phi Theta Kappa Fact
• Participate in Our Survey!
• College Administrators: Join Our Scholarship First Initiative
1. Ten Senior Institutions Establish Phi Theta
Kappa Scholarships Since "Scholarship First" Initiative Was Launched in
September 2003
In September 2003 only 15 of Ohio's senior institutions
offered scholarships to transferring Phi Theta Kappa members. Thanks to
the outstanding efforts of the State's community college presidents, 10
new Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships have been established in Ohio
since that time, bringing the state's total from 15 to 25 in less than
one year. As we approach the first anniversary of the Scholarship First
initiative, we are pleased to share this progress report with you and
request your continued support in reaching our ultimate goal: Phi
Theta Kappa Scholarships at 90 percent of Ohio's senior institutions!
>>top
2.
Presidents Moeller and Meeks Co-Chair Scholarship
Initiative
During
the annual Ohio Association of Community Colleges Fall
Conference
in September 2003, Phi Theta Kappa leaders representing
International
Headquarters and the Ohio Region challenged the
state's community
college presidents to contact the state's senior institutions in
a concentrated effort to increase the number of
transfer scholarships
designated for Phi Theta Kappa members.
Jefferson Community College President Dr. Laura Meeks and Columbus State Community College President Dr. M. Valeriana Moeller agreed to co-chair this "Scholarship First" initiative. Each president present at the September 2003 OACC meeting signed up to participate in the three-step process involving the sharing of a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Development Packet, followed by a phone call and a personal visit. >>top
3.
Ohio University Earmarks $105,300 for New Scholarships
for Honor Society Members
Dr.
Roy Church, President of Lorain County Community
College and Chair
of the Ohio Association of Community College
Presidents, took the
initiative to call on the leadership of Ohio University
in Athens,
Ohio, and reaped big rewards for Phi Theta Kappans in
the Buckeye
State.
As a result of Dr. Church's efforts, Ohio University recently announced a generous scholarship program exclusively for members of Phi Theta Kappa, available to eligible members for the fall 2004 term. At least one renewable scholarship of $3,900 per year will be awarded to a Society member at each of the state-supported community and technical colleges in Ohio. Collectively, these scholarships have a total value of $105,300. >>top
4.
President Young Secures Scholarships at Defiance
College
and
University of Findlay
Dr.
Betty Young, President of Northwest State Community
College, said
her quest to secure transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappans
at Defiance College and the University of Findlay was boosted by
the fact that "it's a small world."
After working with Mark Thompson earlier in her career, both left their state colleges to work for private colleges. However, in Fall 2003 Dr. Young found herself within 10 miles of her old friend when he accepted the post of Dean of Admissions at Defiance College. "We rekindled our friendship, and through that connection with Mark Thompson and the leadership of President Dr. Gerald Woods we were able to establish Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships at Defiance College."
Thompson said of the new partnership, "Defiance College's specialized four-year major in Forensic Science has caught the investigative eye of high caliber academic science students across the country and Phi Theta Kappa members with a science-related associate degrees would readily qualify!"
Dr. Young was also successful in persuading the leadership of the University of Findlay to establish an unlimited number of renewable $8,500 per year scholarships for Phi Theta Kappans. "Whether old friends or new friends, those of us in higher education really all have the same passion -- the success of our students" Dr. Young said, "I am proud we had the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students through the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship program."
Renee
Tipton, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at
Northwest State
Community College became the first recipient of the
new Phi Theta
Kappa scholarship at Defiance College. "I want to thank everyone
at Defiance College and the Phi Theta Kappa
organization for offering
this scholarship to me," Tipton said, "It is a
wonderful gift that
will enable me to pursue my degree in early childhood education
without worrying about the money. I am honored to be chosen for
this scholarship." >>top
5. Bluffton University to Offer New Scholarships
for Transferring Members
Rhodes Community College already had a strong relationship with
Bluffton University when Rhodes President Dr. Earl Keese approached the
administration about the possibility of establishing a Phi Theta Kappa
scholarship. "Bluffton is one of our College's most popular transfer destinations,"
Dr. Keese said. "They have helped serve our students, they are an excellent
institution, and I am happy that transfer students from throughout the
state will benefit from these scholarships."
Dr. Eric Fulcomer, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Bluffton University, said Bluffton decided to offer Phi Theta Kappa scholarships because the University welcomes Phi Theta Kappa members as transfer students. "Transfer students are important members of our campus community," Dr. Fulcomer said. "We hope these scholarships will give Phi Theta Kappa members another reason to consider attending Bluffton." >>top
6.
Dr. Rafinski is Catalyst for New Scholarship at Wittenberg
University
Dr.
Karen Rafinski, president of Clark State Community
College, helped
to establish a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship at
Wittenberg University
that will cover one half of the school's tuition per term.
"Securing Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship opportunities from Wittenberg University allows our brightest and most talented community college students access to a private education at a reasonable cost," Rafinski said. "This is a win-win for our students and our community!" >>top
7.
Cleveland State University Begins Aggressive Recruitment of
Ohio
Phi Theta Kappans
The late Dr.
John Kesler, Ohio Senior Coordinator, and Dr. Morris Beverage,
Jr., President of Lakeland Community College, were successful in
developing a Phi Theta Kappa scholarship on the heels
of aggressive
efforts by Cleveland State University to recruit
transfer students.
In the Annual Convocation Address at Cleveland State University on October 2, 2003, President Michael Schwartz announced that Dr. Jerry Kiel, Articulation and Transfer Coordinator, will "focus all of his efforts on community college relations and to enhance the transfer of students from those institutions to our campus. He will also work on the development of articulation matters and two-plus-two programs."
According to Cleveland State University's website more than half the students attending the university are transfer students. Phi Theta Kappans can now take advantage of the increased recruitment efforts and services directed toward transfer students along with the 100 renewable scholarships of $1,000 exclusively for Society members. >>top
8.
Myers University Offers Funds to Transfer Scholars
This
fall Myers University will begin to offer an unlimited number of
renewable $2,500 per year scholarships to Phi Theta
Kappa members.
Dr. Timothy S. Miesse, Associate Vice President for University Expansion at Myers University, said his institution was glad to be a part of scholarship development trend for Phi Theta Kappans in the state of Ohio. "Phi Theta Kappa members are some of the best and brightest students on community college campuses today," Dr. Miesse said. "We are pleased to offer them scholarships to help turn a bachelor's degree from a dream into a reality." >>top
9. Dr. Moeller helps to Develop Scholarships
at Otterbein College
Columbus
State Community College President Dr. M. Valeriana
Moeller worked
with officials at Otterbein College, which will begin offering
a limited number of $5,000 scholarships for Phi Theta
Kappa Members.
"We are very appreciative that Otterbein College recognizes the outstanding quality of Phi Theta Kappa students," Dr. Moeller said. "A scholarship can make a difference in whether students continue their path to greater success." >>top
10. Ohio Wesleyan University Establishes Scholarships
for Society Members
Ohio
Wesleyan University has created a program to offer a
limited number
of renewable scholarships from $5,000 to half-tuition
to Phi Theta
Kappa members at the time of admission.
Kevin Holloway, Coordinator of Transfer Admission for Ohio Wesleyan University, said "Ohio Wesleyan offers the Phi Theta Kappa Dean's Award to recognize transfer students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and the potential to continue this academic success, to benefit from the programs and opportunities available here, and to make positive contributions to the Ohio Wesleyan community." >>top
11.
JCU Commits $20,000 Annually to Phi Theta Kappa
Scholarships
Beginning
this fall John Carroll University will offer 10
renewable scholarships
of $2,000 per year each. Dr. Linda Simmons, Vice
President of Academic
Affairs at Cuyahoga Community College, and Dr. Roy Church helped
initiate the new awards.
" I am thrilled that more and more four year institutions are rewarding Ohio's best and brightest students by recognizing the potential of community college students," said Cindy Carbone, Ohio's Phi Theta Kappa Regional Coordinator. "Most of these students have few choices when it comes to pursuing bachelor degrees, so the creation of these scholarships will help ensure that we keep Ohio's best and brightest students in the state. We must create as many opportunities to advance the educational base of Ohio's citizens and these scholarships will certainly help encourage that endeavor. I applaud the four-year institutions for their involvement and the community college presidents for their efforts." >>top
12.
Terry Thomas Honored at Phi Theta Kappa
International Convention
Terry
Thomas, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Community
Colleges, was honored during the Annual Phi Theta Kappa
International
Convention as a recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award. Thomas
has been instrumental in developing the All-Ohio Academic Team,
securing Honda Scholarships for All-Ohio Team Members
and working
with College Presidents to secure new Phi Theta Kappa
Scholarships
in Ohio.
The Shirley B. Gordon Awards are named for the President Emeritus of Highline Community College, now serving as Chairman of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors. The outstanding community college executive officers receiving this award have provided extensive support and a variety of resources for their colleges' Phi Theta Kappa chapters, including faculty advisor release time, a line-item budget for the chapter, financial support for chapters to participate in regional and international events and scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members. >>top
Phi
Theta Kappa Fact
Did you know that $36 million in transfer
scholarships are available to Phi Theta Kappa Members at 600 senior institutions
in the U.S. and Canada? >>top
Participate in Our Survey
Do you believe we can reach our goal of having 90% of Ohio's senior
institutions offer scholarships by December 2005?
Yes
No
College Administrators: Join
Our Scholarship First Initiative
If you would like to participate in our Scholarship First initiative
and join us in establishing Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships at Ohio
senior institutions contact Mike
Watson. >>top
Phi
Theta Kappa International Honor Society
Center for Excellence
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