April 16, 2025
Forty-two students were welcomed into Pearl River Community College’s Beta Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society on Monday, April 14.
The induction ceremony was held in the J. Cecil Burt Special Events Room at the Forrest County Campus with family members and other guests in the audience.
Phi Theta Kappa is known as the foremost honor society for two-year colleges with over 1,300 chapters worldwide.
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. The current officers briefly shared how those hallmarks have played out for them as members of PTK.
Before the students took the PTK oath, Dr. Ryan Ruckel, Dean of the William Lewis Honors Institute and Phi Theta Kappa Regional Coordinator, spoke to the importance of membership in Phi Theta Kappa.
“We at PRCC are your college,” he said. “This membership is a great way to move forward with your education.”
Dr. Jana Causey, Vice President of the Forrest County Campus, echoed those same sentiments while praising the advisors and faculty for their efforts.
“You are now members of one of the more prestigious chapters in Phi Theta Kappa,” Dr. Causey said. “What you are going to achieve would not be possible without the help of your teachers at PRCC. You have shown the ability to have pride in what you’re doing.’’
Dr. Greg Underwood, Academic Dean of the Forrest County Campus, gave special greetings and PRCC music instructor Dr. Rudy Gatlin provided special music.
Beta Tau Gamma advisors include Dr. David Collum, Dr. Doug Donohue, Dr. Ruckel, Dr. Terri Ruckel and Said Otwane.
Members of Beta Tau Gamma Chapter had the opportunity to select faculty-staff who have made a difference for them during their time at PRCC. Recognized Cheri Alder, Chris Christian, Anna Stanberry, Zach Bennett, Dr. Rudy Gatlin and Mary Ann Stuart.
PRCC students inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Beta Tau Gamma chapter for 2025 spring semester are:
Colt Bergman of Petal, Elliott Booker of Hattiesburg, Alexis Brown of Petal, Denesha Ariele Brown of Columbia, Matalyn Butler of Petal, Manyla Carrell of Prentiss, Tiffany Clark of Hattiesburg, Arianna Coleman of Hattiesburg, Dr. Douglas Donohue of Hattiesburg, Wyatt Dow of Petal, Muhammad Elgohary of Hattiesburg, Sara Evans of Hattiesburg, Stephanie Flores of Hattiesburg, Anna-Kate Flowers of Purvis, Alexis Brilea Frazier of Hattiesburg, Autumn Brooke Frazier of Hattiesburg.
Kiera French of Hattiesburg, Harley Garraway of Hattiesburg, Jessica Garrett of Petal, Mandy Giles of McLain, Takira Gray of Prentiss, Camdyn Hathorn of Petal, Ila Howard of Hattiesburg, Garrett Holder of Petal, Aiden Law of Petal, Braden Mann of Petal, Kyle Marin of Bassfield, Jaylah McClendon of Hattiesburg, Carrie Anne McDill of Petal, Lauren McLain of Petal, Jenni Lyn Overstreet of Hattiesburg, Andrew Palmer of Petal.
Kierstin Polk of Hattiesburg, Frances Preston of Hattiesburg, Erica Roberts of Hattiesburg, Gretchen Schultz of Destrehan, La., Diego Sosa of Oak Grove, Madison Sullivan of Poplarville, Secily Thomas of Laurel, Jana Walker of Prentiss, Jaylon Walley of Richton, and Samuel Whittington of Hattiesburg.
According to Dr. Donohue, the total number of new Beta Tau Gamma members so far this semester is 123.
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 Kaylee Fortenberry.
