Press release
Forty-five Trinity Valley Community College students were inducted Sunday into the Iota Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the Student Union Ballroom on the Athens campus.
Membership in Phi Theta Kappa, a national honors society for two-year colleges, requires a student to achieve a 3.5 GPA, complete any required developmental courses and accumulate at least 12 semester hours of college credit. Membership entitles TVCC students to have the honor noted on their official transcripts and affords them the opportunity to wear the Phi Theta Kappa golden stole, tassel and/or medallion at graduation.
Dr. Michael Felty, a TVCC chemistry and physical science instructor who serves as one of the chapter’s advisors, encouraged inductees to get involved in the many ways the organization works to improve the community.
“Being in Phi Theta Kappa is an honor you should be very proud of,” he said. “This honor recognizes that you are all leaders – leaders in your community, leaders in your school and leaders in your family. … Look for ways to change the status quo. Always look to make things better.”
This year’s chapter officers are: Ogulnazik Orazgeldiyeva, president; Cynthia Woodall, vice president for scholarship; Deborah Cody, vice president for leadership; William Cody, vice president for service; Bryan Ruiz, vice president for fellowship; and Leslie Hernandez, vice president for communications.
This year’s inductees are: Shannan Besherse of Mabank; Tessa Anne Marie Brown of Crandall; Macy Bryce of Mabank; Michael Landon Bynum of Athens; Ashley Haley Cameron of Terrell; Carly Castaneda of Manvel; Shawanda Cofer of Larue; Evan James Hunter Conley of Athens; Bodey Jack Cooper of Kemp; Perla Davis of Chandler; Christine Marie Day of Scurry; Ashley Elliott of Gun Barrel City; Seitaro Fukunaga of Athens; Haley Margaret Gallagher of Mabank; Fernando Garcia of Malakoff; Shannon Alexandra Gatlin of Athens; Willie Hadnot of Athens; Ami Hall of Mabank; Elya Jo Harlan of Seagoville; Chelsea N. Hart of Athens; Meagan Marie Hullett of Crandall; Alexis Crystal Johnson of Heartland; Caleb Johnson of Athens; Wade Earl Lang of Palestine; Chun Lau of Kennedale; Jantel Byronique Lewis of Palestine; Daniela Rangel Matchael of Athens; Madison McFadden of Crandall; Michaela Lynn McLeod of Grapeland; Joshua Meelkop of Seven Points; David Mena of Houston; Caden Monk of Mabank; Deon K. Musser of Gun Barrel City; William Nolley of Athens; Amairani Ortuno of South Houston; Stephen B. Praytor Jr. of Mabank; Dorathy Ramon of Palestine; Jasamine Rodgers of Larue; Benjamin Russell of Crandall; Misty Diane Salazar of Athens; Taylor Shrout of Chandler; Rachel Taylor of Athens; Carrie Lynn Tillison of Mabank; Lisa Tracy of Malakoff; Kaylea Ann Westover of Athens; and Payton Lanae Yount of Kemp.
Chapter advisors are Aida Allen; Felty; Jan Jennings; Nancy Long; and Russell Self.