News and Updates

SGSC’s PTK students attend international convention

Members of the Kappa Sigma (Douglas Campus) and Alpha Rho Omega (Waycross Campus) chapters of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) at South Georgia State College (SGSC) attended “NerdNation,” PTK’s annual convention at the Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla.  More than 4,000 students, advisors, and administrators representing 581 PTK chapters from all over the world attended the three-day event.

SGSC’s PTK advisors are Amy Hancock, external affairs coordinator, and Ame Wilkerson, registrar.

Michael D’Ambrosio, officer of the Alpha Rho Omega chapter and Georgia Regional President, represented the Georgia Region by carrying the flag during the opening ceremony, followed by other regional officers and advisors.

Students attended educational forums and spent time with chapter members from all parts of the world as they learned leadership skills and ways to engage students on campus through PTK’s mission.  During the general sessions, speakers such as explorer and author Alison Levine and Dr. Robert Ballard, the oceanographer best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic, inspired the students to reach for new heights and explore the unknown, all while becoming better leaders on their campuses and in the world.

Hancock presented a mini-session to advisors entitled, “Chapter Advisor as Coach, Mentor and Mediator.”  Hancock presented ideas on how to use the various roles advisors have to strengthen their respective chapters.  She had the privilege of being one of only a few advisors worldwide to be asked to present during the educational forums.

SGSC President Dr. Virginia Carson said PTK members make a difference as leaders on SGSC’s campuses and are valuable representatives of the College.

“We are excited that chapter members from our campuses were able to attend PTK’s international convention.  I have seen firsthand that PTK provides valuable resources and instruction for advisors and students to learn about engagement opportunities that result in long-term chapter and student success,” she said.

In addition to D’Ambrosio, SGSC students who attended the convention included Paige Smith, president of the Kappa Sigma chapter.  Officers Felton Baker, Siddhant Gandhi, Lindsie Peace, and Chelsea Burke represented the Alpha Rho Omega chapter.

Headquartered in Jackson, Miss., Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in each of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions.  Nearly three million students have been inducted since PTK’s founding in 1918, with approximately 131,000 students inducted annually.

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FIRST PHOTO: Three of SGSC’s Phi Theta Kappa representatives gathered for a group picture prior to the start of the first general session during PTK’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla.  (L-R) Paige Smith of Nicholls (Kappa Sigma chapter), Lindsie Peace of Patterson (Alpha Rho Omega chapter), and Chelsea Burke of Waycross (Alpha Rho Omega chapter).

SECOND PHOTO: Representatives from the Alpha Rho Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa on SGSC’s Waycross Campus gathered for a group picture following the Hallmark Awards Gala at PTK’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla.  (L-R) Michael D’Ambrosio of Blackshear, Felton Baker of Waycross, Siddhant Gandhi of Waycross, Chelsea Burke of Waycross, and Lindsie Peace of Patterson.