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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Phi Theta Kappa Students Sweep NY Awards


Shanon Gibson, president of MCC's Alpha Theta Iota chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society was named New York Region Distinguished Chapter President and Tiffany Walker was named New York Region Distinguished Chapter Vice President during the society’s statewide convention over the weekend, March 7 to 9.

Additionally, the Alpha Theta Iota chapter received the New York Region Most Distinguished Chapter Award and it took first place in hallmark essays in leadership, scholarship and service, and for the yearbook. MCC was among 57 chapters qualified to compete.

“The students are thrilled. I’m thrilled. This is an exceptional honor,” said Jodi Oriel, assistant director of the Campus Center at MCC’s Brighton Campus. Oriel, a past recipient of the state’s distinguished advisor award, has advised students in the MCC chapter for 12 years. Lynn Bartholome, associate professor, English/Philosophy, serves as the faculty advisor.

The awards recognize the students’ commitment to setting and achieving goals that benefit the college and the community. Students take on the projects voluntarily and do not receive any academic credit. This past year, they developed educational initiatives that focused on the society’s honors topic, Gold, God and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power and Service. Students offered educational forums on how to recognize and develop personal empowerment, and for a service project, they worked with the MCC’s food service, Aramark, to open the Green Leaf Café, which is committed to locally-grown and organic products. Additionally, the Alpha Theta Iota officers assisted in organizing MCC’s first Sustainability Day, educating the community on ways to counterbalance the affects of global warming.

Alpha Theta Iota officers started work on the awards process during the summer of 2007 and implemented their ideas throughout the 2007-08 academic year. Officers are: Gibson, president; Walker, vice president / service; Katsiaryna Pleshankova, vice president of scholarship; Lauren McKenna, vice president / historian and yearbook; Andy Wagoner, vice president of leadership; Sara Furguson and David Luckenbach, vice presidents of membership; Chara Marks and David Vore, vice presidents of service; and Cindie McNulty-Costello, treasurer/finance. Active members include Janessa Colligan, Lori LaRussa and Michelle Hartlieb.

MCC will attend the 90th International Convention April 3 to 5 in Philadelphia, Pa., where hallmark awards will be given to Phi Theta Kappa chapters around the world.

Dianne E McConkey
College and Community Relations
03/13/2008


Attachments:

Winning team members from left to right are: Jodi Oriel, Dave Luckenbach, Lauren McKenna, Tiffany Walker, Lynn Bartholome, Shanon Gibson, Chara Lynn Marks and Janessa Colligan.


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Award-winning students here are Tiffany Walker (left) and Shanon Gibson.
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