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SCC sets new record winning two top prizes and Top 25 Chapter honors at Phi Theta Kappa Convention

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 3-5, 2008 - The Omicron Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Somerset Community College received the Scholarship Hallmark Award and the Leadership Hallmark Award at the 2008 Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 3-5, 2008.

In addition, the SCC academic honor society was named one of the Top 25 Chapters in the international organization for two-year colleges. SCC was also presented with a “Distinguished Chapter” Award.

“This is the first time a chapter from the Kentucky Region has won two Hallmark Awards at one convention. It is also the first time that a chapter from the Kentucky Region has won a Hallmark in either category. So the fact that Omicron Zeta won both is an unbelievable accomplishment,” Johnna Atkinson-Bigelow, the SCC Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisor, said.

The Hallmark Awards Program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, serves to recognize superior individual and chapter achievement in Society programs. In this program, chapters compete against one another. Participation encourages excellence, reflects fairness, recognizes quality, and leads to enhanced student, advisor, and chapter development.

According to Atkinson-Bigelow, these two Hallmark Awards are the first chapter International Hallmark Awards Omicron Zeta has won since it received the Service Hallmark Award at the 2001 International Convention.

“Words can't express the elation we are experiencing! Words also can't express Omicron Zeta's gratitude to the Somerset Community College community for all of your support throughout the years,” said continued.

“Somerset Community College is so proud of the students and faculty advisors of Omicron Zeta. These students are our top academic achievers, yet they also volunteered their precious and limited free time to making our Phi Theta Kappa organization one of the best in the world,” said Dr. Jo Marshall, the President and CEO of SCC.

This year, nearly 500 chapters competed for the Society's most coveted awards. The Hallmark Awards Program is the Society's capstone awards competition annually recognizing excellence in programs that promote the Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

Exceptional members, officers, advisors, college administrators and chapters are recognized annually at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention for their achievements. Complete lists of awards winners as well as award category descriptions are available at www.ptk.org/hallmarks/.

Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College, has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918. The Society is comprised of more than 1,250 chapters at community, technical and junior colleges in all 50 of the United States, in Canada, Germany, U.S. Territories, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Palau and the British Virgin Islands, making it the largest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges. Membership is based primarily upon academic achievement. The organization offers a myriad of opportunities for scholarships, intellectual enrichment and personal development through programs based on the Society's Hallmarks.

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Casey and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu.