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MSC Southeast Phi Theta Kappa Chapter honored with REACH Award
44 students inducted into Beta Rho Mu Chapter of PTK at MSC Southeast this spring
Red Wing and Winona, MN (April 28, 2021) -- Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, has recognized the Beta Rho Mu Chapter at Minnesota State College Southeast for excellence in membership development with a 2021 REACH Award.
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students. The organization provides opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming.
This spring, 44 MSC Southeast students were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. "That is the highest number of new students we have inducted since I became a PTK advisor in 2017," said MSC Southeast instructor Jean Egbert. "What is so impressive is the number of students that qualified for PTK this year. I am amazed by how many students were able to maintain their high academic standing despite everything they have had to manage during the pandemic."
To qualify for PTK, students must achieve a GPA of 3.5 or higher, take at least 12 transfer-level credits, and be enrolled in an associate degree program. Students who meet these requirements are invited to apply for membership
PTK's REACH Rewards program celebrates and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters that achieve or exceed 15 percent for their membership acceptance rate. Phi Theta Kappa recognized 1,081 chapters for their efforts to bring the life-changing benefits and opportunities of PTK membership to even more students on their campuses in 2020.
"Being a REACH chapter is more important this year than ever before as Phi Theta Kappa worked to support community college students in completely unfamiliar circumstances," PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. "Racial and political unrest and a global pandemic made 2020 the most challenging year in recent history -- one that our students, chapters, and partner colleges worked exceptionally hard to overcome."
"I am excited to see that so many of our students are being inducted into our local PTK chapter," said MSC Southeast Interim President Larry Lundblad. "These students meet the high academic threshold that qualifies them for membership. They are now part of an international organization that opens wide the door of opportunity for leadership, personal development, and service."
A full 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 38 percent of students nationally. Members have access to $48 million in scholarships -- $1 million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $46 million in transfer scholarships to over 850 four-year colleges.
"My sense is that our students joined PTK out of pride of accomplishing this honor and because their membership opens the door to scholarships when they transfer to four-year institutions," said Jean Egbert. "Given the accomplishments of this year I hope we will gain even more members next year."
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college that prepares students for a lifetime of learning by providing education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining, and transfer. The Winona campus opened its doors in 1949; the Red Wing campus opened in 1973, merging with Winona in 1992. The two campuses now have distinctive characteristics but are one college in structure, policies, procedures, and mission. Both offer small class sizes, state-of-the-art facilities, and an environment that is friendly and supportive. In addition, more than 30 majors are available online. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.