Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa. For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women's junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.
Today Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. The innovative programs and services and array of membership benefits offered by Phi Theta Kappa are unequaled among honor societies. Co-curricular programs focus upon the Society's Hallmark of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. It is estimated that 200,000 students participate in Phi Theta Kappa programs each year. Annually, approximately 100,000 students are inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. The average age of a new member is 29, ranging from 18 to 80. Part-time and full-time students are eligible for membership. The average Phi Theta Kappan is enrolled full-time with a GPA of 3.8.
To be eligible for membership a student must:
You may find more information about the society at www.ptk.org.
Our chapter is part of the Carolina's region at www.carolinasregion.org
and is at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, www.abtech.edu
(Courtesy: ptk.org)
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Alpha Upsilon Eta | Phi Theta Kappa
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