March 1, 2011

Phi Theta Kappa to induct largest class ever

A large contingent of Medicine Hat College students will cross the theatre stage on Tuesday, partaking in a traditional ceremony that will make them a part of a prestigious North American honour society.

The twentieth induction of the MHC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honour society will be the college’s largest induction ever. With less than 2000 students inducted in the chapter’s twenty-year history, the number of this year’s inductees is substantial.

“We will be inducting 206 students on Tuesday,” said Stuart Riley, chapter advisor. “So to have ten percent of our inductees in one year alone is quite significant. We’re doing something right here to get memberships.”

In order to be invited, each student must take at least 12 credit hours in the semester and achieve a minimum 3.5 grade point average. The students are then sent an official invitation from the President’s Office at MHC.

Benefits include the availability of unique convocation regalia, a special seal on the graduate’s parchment, a reference letter and many other lifelong opportunities.

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honour society in American higher education with more than two million members and 1,250 chapters. There are three Canadian chapters, the oldest of which is the MHC chapter.

During the course of the academic year each chapter does community service projects that reflect the society’s hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Tuesday’s event will be a formal ceremony with guest speaker Dr. Linda Schwartz, vice president of academic at MHC. Inductees will each be called to the stage and presented with a white rose to signify the honour they have achieved. Approximately 100 of the inducted students will be taking part in the ceremony.