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04/20/2004 -

Contact Tara Humphries
WCC Public Information Officer
phone 919-735-7923
E-mail tarah@waynecc.edu

The Upsilon Chi, Wayne Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, was presented a dozen awards at its regional conference.

The chapter earned Five Star certification, the highest level possible. The Five Star Program for Chapter Development recognizes chapters for setting and achieving levels of participation in society programs. According to Chapter Advisor Gene Smith, less than 10 percent of all chapters receive the five-star rating.

Having risen from a zero-star chapter last year, Upsilon Chi was recognized with the region’s “Most Improved Chapter Award.”

WCC was one of six out the 77 chapters in the Carolinas Region to win the “Carolinas Super Star Award” for scholarship, service, leadership and fellowship.

The chapter received the “Carolinas Clover Challenge – Helping Kids Conquer Cancer Award”. Among other activities, the chapter contributed $100 to Camp Happy Days for children diagnosed with cancer.

It also garnered the “Carolinas Super Star Award,” a service and participation award based on the number of service projects and attendance at meetings and workshops

Named to the “Carolinas Hall of Honor” were Shannon Davenport, president, and Brenda Vinson, recording secretary, both nominated by their fellow chapter members. Gene Smith received the “Horizon Advisor Award” for good communication with the region leaders, and “Distinguished Advisor Award Honorable Mention” based on his chapter’s nomination.

The chapter earned $500 in scholarships toward next year’s workshops and conferences.

Participating in the PTK International Service Program partnership with the American Cancer Society, the WCC chapter conducted a number of service projects this year, including providing cancer information and sunscreen to participants in the Foundation of WCC’s 2003 Golf Tournament, collecting 500 yogurt lids worth $50 for the Susan Komen G. Breast Cancer Foundation, and holding a cancer awareness seminar with lectures and informational displays attended by 500 people from the campus and community.

“We’re trying to maintain this level of accomplishment,” said Gene Smith. “When we started planning the symposium, I thought it was too much. The day of it was more than I had envisioned.”

Other activities included a civil servant appreciation day last spring, providing a meal for emergency services personnel, and collected items for needy families at Christmas. Thanks to bake sales and raffles, the chapter was able to send 10 members to the regional meeting.

“Even if we hadn’t won these awards, we’ve already been rewarded by the way we’ve touched the community,” Smith said. He added that everything the chapter accomplished and the awards were the result of team effort.

Attending the Phi Theta Kappa Carolinas Region conference and accepting awards on behalf of the Wayne Community College chapter of the honor society are (l-r) Tom Garrou; Michelle Joyner; Brenda Vinson, recording secretary; Rebekah McInnis, vice president of service; Leah Heim, vice president of scholarship; Julie Hollowell, vice president of leadership; Shannon Davenport, president; Jacqui Malone, public information officer; Gene Smith, advisor; and Mickey Turton.