October 10, 2024
Thirty-three students walked the stage on Monday, October 7, as they were induction into the Iota Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Pearl River Community College. Hosted at the beautiful Brownstone Center for the Arts, the event recognized the remarkable dedication and effort of these students, who embody the pinnacle of academic excellence.
Phi Theta Kappa is known as the foremost honor society for two-year colleges with over 1,300 chapters worldwide. This evening was the Iota Mu Chapter’s 68th induction ceremony. The chapter covers both the Hancock and Poplarville campuses.
Students selected for membership are considered academically successful having completed at least 12 credit hours of non-remedial courses with a minimum cumulative 3.4 GPA.
Scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship are the four hallmarks of PTK. Iota Mu officers are Naomi Williamson (President), Sahil Ajmera (Vice President of Scholarship), Tyerk Mark (Vice President of Leadership), Victoria Martin (Vice President of Service), and Donovan Bounds (Vice President of Fellowship & Regional CTE Representative). They briefly shared how those hallmarks have played out for them as members of PTK and the symbols of the organization.
Executive Director of Admissions Michelle Konscak, who oversees Gulf Park Enrollment Management and Student Affairs for the University of Southern Mississippi, served as the special guest speaker for the evening. She recognized the role administrators, instructors, family, and friends of the students have in their success. She then addressed the new inductees with a challenge for living their lives going forward.
“Choose community, make the conscious decision to engage with people, to serve, to volunteer, to help, to assist,” said Konscak. “Choose honor, decide to excel, decide to achieve. Decide to be a symbol of distinction in your words, in your habits, in your life.”
Executive Vice President for Student Services Dr. Jeff Long congratulated the students on behalf of the PRCC administration at the induction. He shared about the Wildcat Way – living each day with pride, respect, class, and character.
“It’s so very difficult for students to wake up every day and exhibit pride in whatever they are doing; especially in this day and age when important things are minimized,” said Long. “But the ones here tonight have been able to do that, and that’s certainly a testament to them and those who brought them up.”
Following the ceremony, the inductees had the opportunity to connect with representatives from The University of Southern Mississippi. Students learned about the diverse programs the school offers and the generous scholarships available for transfer students. PTK members who transfer to USM with 48-119 cumulative hours and a GPA of 3.25 or higher are eligible for a $3,000 per semester scholarship, renewable for up to four semesters.
Fall 2024 Inductees for Iota Mu Chapter
PRCC students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Iota Mu Chapter for fall 2024 semester are:
Sahil Ajmera, Carriere
Liberty Bennett, Picayune
Mallory Bolian, Diamondhead
Marley Carle, Picayune
Joshua Chaupetta, Picayune
Ebony Cockrell, Hattiesburg
Emily Copeland, Hattiesburg
Lyric Delcambre, Sumrall
Sophia Dupre, Carriere
Autumn Harrington, Carriere
Dionne Hebert, Picayune
Kyara Hendricks, Columbia
Rajuhnay Hilliard, Hazelhurst
Samantha Galatas, Pearl River, LA
Sophia Jarrell, Carriere
Brittany Kendrick, Slidell, LA
Jada Martin, Purvis
Paden McLin, Bassfield
Joseph Munson, Bay St. Louis
Haven O’Neal, Purvis
Peggy Peek, Poplarville
Sean Pounds, Bassfield
Nickolas Rogers, Purvis
Danielle Reid, Poplarville
Elizabeth Saunders, Carriere
Miy’a Sims, Hattiesburg
Trey Smith, Petal
Kelly Stubbs, Sumrall
Lauren Swift, Purvis
Madeline Tisdale, Purvis
Audrey Turnage, Columbia
Lily Tynes, Poplarville
Symmone Ward, D’Iberville
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG), and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article and photography by Laura O’Neill.
