Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two year colleges whose purpose is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students'. To fulfull this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides an outlet for leadership development, fellowship among student members, community service, and continuing academic excellence.

Phi Theta Kappa has a name similar to, and is heavily based on, the much more well-known Phi Beta Kappa, which is an international honor society for universities and four-year colleges. Phi Beta Kappa Presidents have spoken at Phi Theta Kappa conventions, and the two societies have formed joint programs to encourage community and junior college graduates to advance to four-year institutions.

Originally established in 1910, at a Missouri junior college for women under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron, the group grew quickly. In 1918 it became known as Phi Theta Kappa and was organized nationally. In 1924 an amendment was passed to include all two-year colleges, not just ones for women. In 1929, Phi Theta Kappa was officially recognized by the American Association of Junior Colleges.

The distinctive gold key membership pin was adopted in 1930 and is officially described as;

The Key is a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom. Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words meaning phronimon (Phi), thumos (Theta), katharotes (Kappa) and meaning wisdom, aspiration and purity. Behind the band is a wreath, on one side composed of oak leaves, and on the other, of laurel. The wreath of oak leaves denotes stability and strength of character, and the curling leaves of laurel signify achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, Goddess of Learning; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light, the light of learning and knowledge.

According to the Phi Theta Kappa International headquarters, it is estimated that 200,000 students participate in Phi Theta Kappa programs every year, with more than 82,000 students inducted annually. Membership has grown to over 1.5 million members in over 1,200 chapters in the United States, Canada, Germany and Japan. To qualify for initial Phi Theta Kappa membership, a student must maintain a GPA of (usually) 3.5 or higher and pay a one-time membership fee. Thereafter, a Phi Theta Kappa member must maintain a high academic standing (usually a 3.25 GPA) to remain a member in good standing in the society.

Members of Phi Theta Kappa have opportunities to receive some of more than $36 million in scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members and participate in conventions, with the International Convention generally held in early to mid-April of each year. Members in many states are also eligible to participate in the All-USA Academic Team program, co-sponsored by USA Today, and by extension their own statewide academic teams. Other perks include automatic nominations to The National Dean's List and job postings exclusively for members.

It is considered bad form to refer to the organization as "PTK," considering those letters do not truly correspond to the proper Greek letters Phi (Ph), Theta (Th) and Kappa (K). The only acceptable use of the initials "PTK" in reference to the Society is in the web address and in member e-mail addresses available from the Society.

Famous Members

• Former E.P.A. Head Carol M. Browner
• Oceanographer and Explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle
• Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise
• Former St. Louis Mayor Clarence Harmon
• Forbes Magazine Publisher Rich Karlgaard
• Former United Nations Ambassador Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick
• PBS News Anchor Jim Lehrer
• Businessman and Political Figure H. Ross Perot
• New York City Opera Conductor Gerald Steichen
• Actress Sela Ward
• Olympic Ice Skater Michael Weiss
• Country Musician Trisha Yearwood

External Links

• Phi Theta Kappa Official Site (http://www.ptk.org)