September 3, 2024
New 2024-25 officers of the Beta Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society look forward to working with the college administration and fellow students to make a positive impact on the Forrest County Campus of Pearl River Community College.
The new officers were recently announced on the first day of classes in the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute.
On that day, they also welcomed Dr. Ben Burnett, President of William Carey University, and awarded him an Honorary Membership in Phi Theta Kappa and joins the Beta Tau Gamma chapter.
“I look forward to working with the officers and advisors to accomplish wonderful things this year,” said Makayla Herberger, 19, incoming president and a sophomore from Purvis. “I am also excited to grow my leadership skills.”
“I hope to get the chance to advocate for people in need, and meet a community of people,” said Isabella Rainey, 19, a sophomore from Oak Grove.
The new officers are Madeleine “Finn” Smith of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Fellowship; Kaycee Tanner of Lucedale, Vice President of Service; Makayla Herberger of Purvis, President; Isabella Rainey of Oak Grove, Vice President of Scholarship; Skylar Reed of Greenville, Ambassador for Dual Enrollment; Olivia Collum, Vice President of Leadership; Summer Powers, Vice President of Chapter Engagement; Maddie Stafford, Vice President of Membership; William Phelps, Vice President of Chapter Engagement; Kyrstin Korbe, Vice President of Scholarship; Kaleb Kinkopf, Vice President of Career Readiness.
Beta Tau Gammas advisors are Drs. David Collum, Terri Smith Ruckel, Ryan Ruckel and Doug Donohue, and Said Otwane. Phi Theta Kappa is known as the foremost honor society for two-year colleges with over 1,300 chapters worldwide.
The Beta Tau Gamma chaptercovers the Forrest County Campus.
Students elected 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.
“I look forward to gaining leadership experience and lifetime bonds through PTK,” said Smith, 19, of Hattiesburg. “Being a PRCC student gives me a feeling of promise and belonging.”
Stafford, 19, of Petal, agrees. “It is privilege to be at a campus where I feel heard and seen. I know that I am prioritized and cared for. I love this family.”
“I find PRCC is really amazing, especially in the sense that I have a stronger and more supportive community than ever,” said Collum, 17, a freshman from Oak Grove.
Most officers are members of the Honors Institute, as well as other clubs and organizations.
“The teachers and students have made me feel so welcomed here,” said Tanner, 17, a sophomore from Lucedale. “I look forward to working with the advisors and officers and making a positive impact.”
Added Herberger, “Being a PRCC student has definitely been a highlight of my life. I can’t wait to see what other doors open for me because of this amazing place.”
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 by Chuck Abadie. Photography by Kaitlyn Jones.
