Hallmark Awards Celebrate Community Colleges

The Hallmark Awards Program recognizes superior achievement in Phi Theta Kappa’s programs while encouraging excellence, reflecting fairness, recognizing quality, and enhancing individual and chapter development. Hallmark Award recipients are recognized each year at Catalyst, PTK’s national convention, and are honored for their commitment to supporting the mission of PTK through their work.

In 2023, PTK received and judged 1,940 entries in 37 categories across the nation, and 809 Hallmark Awards were awarded. PTK is guided by four hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. PTK members, officers, advisors, alumni, regions, and college presidents and administration are nominated for Hallmark Awards in recognition of the work they have done in service of upholding these four hallmarks.

The CCsmart Champion Awards were given for the first time to five chapters for their exceptional dedication as advocates for the CCsmart initiative. Each chapter worked alongside their college administration to put a strong emphasis on CCsmart in their College Project. The purpose of the College Project is to establish and strengthen connections between chapter and college relations by engaging the chapter in completing a project that supports the college’s mission or strategic plan.

This year, six college presidents and CEOs received the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for their outstanding efforts in promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa and overall student success. Five retiring college presidents and CEOs received Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards for their support of PTK throughout their career.

Twenty-eight college presidents and CEOs, having served three years or less, were awarded the Paragon Award for New Presidents in recognition of their early commitment in promoting PTK. Thirty community college vice presidents, deans, and college leaders aside from the presidents and CEOs received a Distinguished College Administrator Award for their strong support of PTK.

Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s PTK chapter Alpha Nu Sigma received the Most Distinguished Chapter of the year award for the highest overall combined Honors in Action Project and College Project Awards ranking. Honors in Action projects require chapters to incorporate academic research and analysis, action (service or advocacy), collaboration and impact. Chapters determine topics based on the theme presented in PTK’s Honors Program Guide.

We will host Catalyst 2024 on April 4-6, 2024 at Gaylord Palms in Orlando, FL and celebrate this year’s outstanding contributions to PTK and communities all across the US. We hope to see you there!