COMMUNITY NEWS
RCC’S PHI THETA KAPPA CHAPTER INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS
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n May 25, Beta Theta Rho, Randolph Community College’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, inducted new members into its Five Star chapter, and moved into its 23rd year. A ceremony was pre-recorded and sent to new members due to COVID-19. The virtual ceremony was led by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor and RCC English/Communication Instructor Clark Adams, who welcomed the new inductees. Following Adams’s welcome, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by PTK Vice President Aliza Abdul, while Public Relations Officer Carrie Johnson led the invocation for the ceremony. Adams, who has been a PTK advisor since January 2010, recognized the new inductees. “We are celebrating the accomplishments of our new Phi Theta Kappa members as they have excelled in their academics here at Randolph Community College,” he said. “We are very thankful for their efforts that they have made in making their academics a top priority.” Johnson referenced the new inductees in her invocation. “We give thanks for these students who are shining examples for their families and whose very participation in this ceremony serves as a source of hope, encouragement, and inspiration for those who will follow in their footsteps,” she said. “May their induction into Phi Theta Kappa motivate and challenge them to continue to strive for excellence in all that they do.” Following the invocation, Adams shared information about PTK and explained to the new inductees that “I want you to know that I am proud of what you have accomplished here at RCC thus far. You’re making an effort to complete your education and follow your dreams. This is a difficult task in normal times, but the past two years have made it more difficult and more uncertain. Therefore, I commend each of you for staying focused and going the distance despite these circumstances. Phi Theta Kappa is still honoring and recognizing our students for their success at Randolph Community College. “You possess characteristics of leaders, characteristics of scholars, and characteristics that make you Phi Theta Kappa members.” Adams then explained the history, mission, and purpose of PTK, a 104-year-old international academic honors society for two-year colleges that is recognized as the
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official honors society for two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. Adams also recognized the efforts of chapter officers, chapter advisors, faculty, and administrators who helped to make the induction ceremony possible and who support the mission and work of the honor society. Other chapter advisors in addition to Adams are Ellen Adams (Instructor, Mathematics), Gabby Nall (Instructor, Spanish), and Dolores Vargas-Benavides (Instructor, Spanish). Following Adams’s remarks, Allison Layton, a 2016 RCC graduate and PTK member, served as the alumni speaker. Layton, a graduate of the Randolph Early College High School (RECHS) program at RCC, completed her Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and high school diploma in the spring of 2016. She graduated from High Point University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice-Pre Law and completed her Juris Doctorate from Campbell University in 2020. She is currently an Associate Attorney at Sam’s Law Firm in High Point. Layton’s message focused on the idea of “starting before you’re ready.” She discussed growing up in Franklinville and attending RECHS. She referred to her mother’s encouragement in her educational journey as a motivator and explained that her dreams to pursue a law career
Phi Theta Kappa advisor and Randolph Community College English/Communication Instructor Clark Adams welcomed the College’s new inductees during the May 25 ceremony. The ceremony was pre-recorded and sent to new members due to COVID-19.
