April 3, 2023

Phi Theta Kappa chapters, advisors and student members on East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle and Scooba campuses were recognized during the Mississippi/Louisiana Regional Awards Gala 2023 March 2-3 at Mississippi State University.

Both the Eta Upsilon chapter on the college’s Scooba campus and the Beta Iota Zeta on the Golden Triangle campus earned a Five Star Chapter designation by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, which marks the highest level of achievement by a PTK chapter. Both chapters were also named REACH chapters for excelling in membership development. The PTK chapter on the Scooba campus garnered a Hallmark Honors in Action Distinguished Award for a research project titled “Soul in Play.”

“We have a great group of students in Phi Theta Kappa this year, and I am happy their efforts are being recognized,” said Janet Briggs, who serves as a PTK advisor for the Scooba campus, along with Derrick Conner.

Briggs and Conner were named MS/LA Horizon Advisor Award recipients for serving the region well.

Advisors for EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus chapter of PTK, Beta Iota Zeta, are Kelly Cantrell and Scott Baine. In what may be a first for EMCC, the Beta Iota Zeta chapter was named vice president of the Mississippi/Louisiana region and will assume that role in May. Chapters rather than individuals serve as regional representatives for PTK.

“Beta Iota Zeta Vice President Seth Givens did a great job in his speech to PTK, securing the chapter’s victory in landing the position,” Baine said. Listen to Givens’ speech here: https://bit.ly/3FJC6TY

For the Order of the Golden Key, chapter advisors recognize a chapter member who embodies the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. Isaac Boden was named the 2023 Order of the Golden Key recipient for the Golden Triangle campus’ PTK chapter, while Celeste Study garnered the award for the Scooba campus.

After graduating from EMCC this spring, Boden, of Starkville, plans to pursue a degree in biology at Mississippi State University and seek an internship to research wild animal behavior. A member of EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus choir, he is an active member of PTK.

“Isaac diligently serves as our chapter’s recording secretary and has repeatedly shown his devotion to living the core values of PTK,” Cantrell said.

Boden said he is grateful for the connections he has made through PTK and was excited to learn he had been named an Order of the Golden Key recipient.

“Everyone in this chapter has been working extremely hard on our projects, so receiving this award amidst my diligent peers has undoubtedly been an honor,” Boden said.

Study, a native of Ocean Springs, plans to pursue a degree in nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from EMCC in May. A member of the EMCC softball team, she is active in campus events, helping with community parades on campus and the annual Trunk or Treat activities.

“Since being inducted into our chapter, Celeste has been an exemplary leader, serving on the Honors in Action and College Project teams, participating in our Honors Leadership program, and providing our community, college, and chapter with opportunities to make a difference,” Conner said.

Study said her experience with PTK has been gratifying.

“I have gained leadership experience and opportunities to build my social skills, as well as opportunities to meet and serve fellow students on campus and work with and build better relations with EMCC staff and administrators,” Study said. “In my opinion, the most rewarding aspect of being a PTK member would be the relationships and friends that I get to make along the way.” 

Six EMCC students were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team and will be honored during an April 11 ceremony at the Muse Center in Pearl, where they will receive medallions and certificates. Nominations are based on academic performance and service to the college and community.

Team members from the Scooba campus are Jadasha Harrison and Sarah Martin. Members from the Golden Triangle campus are Givens, Chase Fry, James Lagendijk and Parker Thomas.

The highest scoring nominee from each of the state’s 15 two-year colleges is named to the All-Mississippi First Team. Martin, a Scooba native, was selected as EMCC’s First Team representative.

“I am very proud of Sarah and what she has accomplished at EMCC, both academically and in her dedication to Phi Theta Kappa and her fellow students,” Briggs said.

“Being an officer and member of PTK has given me many opportunities to strengthen my leadership skills,” Martin said. “PTK has also allowed me to create friendships with people who have similar academic values as me. The most rewarding aspect of membership would be seeing hard work and dedication pay off, not only for myself individually but for my chapter as well.”

After she graduates in May, Martin plans on attending Mississippi State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.

Phi Theta Kappa 2022 officers for the Eta Upsilon chapter on the Scooba campus are Cameron Boone, president; Kade Brand and Kaitlyn Stubbs, vice presidents of leadership; Peyton Dawkins and Sarah Martin, vice presidents of service; Chloe Godwin and Jadasha Harrison, vice presidents of scholarship; Jakyeia Anderson, vice president of scholarship; Trinity Nash, recording officer; and Celeste Study, vice president of membership.

The 2022-23 officers for the Beta Iota Zeta chapter on the Golden Triangle campus are Chassity Fry, president; Seth Givens, vice president; Isaac Boden, recording secretary; Aliyah Pittman, treasurer; and Lydia Frisby, public relations.