Nine College Presidents Receive Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards

April 18, 2024
default

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) recognized nine retiring college presidents and chancellors with the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award during PTK Catalyst 2024, the Society’s annual convention in Orlando, Florida, April 4-6, 2024.

These awards are given to retiring college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. Recipients are nominated by the students on their campus.

“These college leaders have made student success a priority throughout their career,” says Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them, both inside and outside the classroom.”

The award is named in honor of the late Dr. Michael Bennett, longtime president of St. Petersburg College in Florida.

The 2024 recipients are:

Dr. Pamela Anglin
Paris Junior College
Texas
Dr. William “Bill” Coppola
Tarrant County College
Texas
Dr. David Devier
Glen Oaks Community College
Michigan
Dr. Celia Esposito-Noy
Solano Community College
California
Dr. Michele Haney
Red Rocks Community College
Colorado 
Dr. Ronald Rhames
Midlands Technical College
South Carolina
Dr. Richard Rhodes
Austin Community College
Texas
Dr. Steven Schulz
North Iowa Area Community College
Iowa
Dr. Kathrine Swanson
Metropolitan Community College
Missouri

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Related Articles

Ahnora Ozor receiving the Founder's Medal from President of Prince George Community College, Falecia D. Williams.

Phi Theta Kappa Announces Founder’s Medal Scholarship Award Winner

Ahnora Ozor, a student at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) in Maryland, has been named the 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Founders Medal Award recipient. Ozor received a $1,000 scholarship and the 2025 Founders Medal Medallion at PGCC’s spring Commencement Ceremony this past week. This award is presented to one graduating PTK member whose essay most powerfully conveys…

Top Community College Students Named to 2025 All-USA Team

For the 65th consecutive year, 20 of the  nation’s top college students have been named to the 2025 All-USA Academic Team. In recognition of this distinction, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The 2025 All-USA Academic Team was recognized during a session at the American Association of Community Colleges’ annual convention on April 15…

Five PTK Members Elected as 2025-2026 International Officer Team

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) elected five new International Officers during PTK Catalyst 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. These students were chosen by their peers—more than 220,000 active members—to serve as the 2025–2026 International Officer Team, the highest student leadership position within the organization. More than honorary ambassadors, these…