April 11, 2025
The Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society chapters at Pearl River Community College recently concluded their attendance at the annual Catalyst international conference, returning with numerous awards and distinctions. Representatives from both the Beta Tau Gamma Chapter (Forrest County Campus) and Iota Mu Chapter (Hancock County and Poplarville Campuses) traveled to Kansas City, MO for the event.
For Catalyst 2025, Beta Tau Gamma was fifth runner-up for Most Distinguished of the 1244 chapters worldwide. They also placed first for the Honors in Action Theme Award for “The Way Stories are Told” and were given the Alpha Continue Excellence Award for being a Distinguished Chapter for four consecutive years. Iota Mu also achieved Distinguished Chapter status, placing in the Top 50 chapters of Phi Theta Kappa. Iota Mu was awarded the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award for being a Distinguished Chapter for three consecutive years.
Beta Tau Gamma and Iota Mu were among the fifty chapters to receive the Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award. Beta Tau Gamma also received the Distinguished College Project Award.
Individual advisors also received recognition at the event. Dr. Ryan Ruckel, Dean of the William Lewis Honors Institute and Instructor of History, Advisor to Beta Tau Gamma, and Co-Director of the MS/LA Region for Phi Theta Kappa, received the Continued Excellence Advisor Award. He also received the Marshall Leadership Award including a $5,000 grant to pursue a leadership opportunity.
“The Society (PTK) exists to recognize student achievement,” said Ruckel. “When our students win awards, they feel the joy of recognition but also of bringing recognition to our college and state.
“It changes their lives, leading them to believe in themselves. Winning the Continued Excellence Advisor and the Marshall Leadership Awards have also brought me personally life-changing recognition.”
Forrest County Campus student Makayla Herberger of Purvis attended Catalyst this year. She has been active in PTK and recently learned she made the All-Mississippi Academic Team as well as receiving the Guistwhite Scholarship and being named a Jack Kent Cooke Semi-Finalist.
“Attending PTK Catalyst was an incredible experience, filled with inspiration, connection, and a deeper appreciation for what it means to be a scholar and a leader,” said Herberger. “Seeing our chapter recognized in front of such a huge crowd for its place in the top ten was not just an achievement; it was a testament to the dedication, hard work, perseverance, and passion of our Beta Tau Gamma chapter and advisors.
“This honor inspires me to keep reaching for excellence and making meaningful impacts wherever I go, and I know my peers feel the same way.”
After an exceptionally impressive performance at the Mississippi/Louisiana Region Gala in March, students eagerly anticipated their results at Catalyst. At the Gala, Beta Tau Gamma (Forrest County Campus) was designated Most Distinguished Chapter for the second time in its 14-year history as a chapter. Iota Mu (Hancock and Poplarville Campuses) was placed sixth for Most Distinguished Chapter. Both chapters were given the Five Star Chapter Award.
Iota Mu was ranked first for Honors in Action Theme for Preserving Stories, seventh in Honors in Action, sixth for College Project., and had a Golden Key Award to Victoria Martin of XX. Beta Tau Gamma also received the Continued Excellence Advisor Award, Distinguished Advisor Team Award, Distinguished Chapter Officer Award (Kaycee Tanner of Lucedale), Distinguished College Service Project, Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Distinguished Regional Chapter, Distinguished Theme 3 Award, and Golden Key Award to Isabella Rainey of Oak Grove.
Beta Tau Gamma Advisors Dr. James Collum, Dr. Doug Donohue, Said Otwane, Dr. Ryan Ruckel, and Dr. Terri Ruckel as well as Iota Mu Advisors Kira Arthurs, Amanda Myers, Robin Nix, and Dr. Whitney Chambers were recognized with Horizon Advisor Awards.
“Catalyst is always an amazing experience. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Iota Mu Chapter Advisor Kira Arthurs. “Our students not only get to celebrate, but they get to hear stories of empowerment as well as fellowship with other PTK members from all over the world. Hopefully, it’s an experience they will forever remember and take with them after they leave PRCC.”
Members of both chapters had a wonderful experience and are setting goals for the coming school year. Sophomore Sahil Ajmer serves as Vice President of Scholarship for Iota Mu Chapter on the Poplarville Campus and was named to the All-Mississippi Academic Team. After graduating in May, he plans to study Public Policy Leadership and math at The University of Mississippi.
“No matter who tells you what, Catalyst will definitely exceed expectations and provide so many exciting memories with new friends and experiences,” said Ajmer. “Not to mention the hard work finally paying off and getting to see the result of your efforts!”
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
The foremost honor society for two-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), has over 1,200 chapters worldwide. Membership is reserved for students who have proven their dedication to academic achievement, requiring a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 and the completion of at least 12 credit hours of non-remedial coursework. Scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship are the four hallmarks of the organization.
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Article by Laura O’Neill. Photos provided by PRCC PTK Advisors.
