INA, Ill. (March 26, 2015) - Seventy-three Rend Lake College students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor (PTK) Society Rho Xi chapter yesterday in the RLC Theatre. In addition to the inductees, one RLC faculty member, Emily Jones, was named the 2015 Teacher of the Year.
Kicking off the induction ceremony was Jena Jensik, PTK Sponsor and RLC Director of Academic Advisement. Jensik congratulated the students and explained the importance of PTK to family and friends in the audience.
“Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and to provide them with opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership, and service programming. I’m honored to serve these high achieving students,†said Jensik. To the students, she added, “Along with your friends, family, and other Rend Lake College employees, everyone in this room wants you to succeed, and we have your best interests in mind. Congratulations from all of us to you on this achievement.â€
RLC President Terry Wilkerson also congratulated the students on a job well done. He then encouraged them to continue striving to do their best.
“I want to say welcome and congratulations to all the students in this room,†said Wilkerson. “From the college’s perspective, we see you as both a customer and a product. As a customer, I hope you’ve found the value of this institution and that you’re learning from us. As a product, I want you to know you’re representing us. You’ll always be a Rend Lake College graduate and you’ll always be a member of this organization. Don’t forget where you got your start, and I hope to see bright and beautiful things out of you in the future.â€
Before the 2015 class was formally inducted, 2014 Teacher of the Year Larry Williams, Zoology Professor, spoke highly of the PTK students in his courses, and commended them for going above and beyond.
“I’m very honored to be here today to say congratulations to all of you,†said Williams. “The members of Phi Theta Kappa represent the very best of the students at Rend Lake College. They go beyond just merely what is required. I am honored to speak to them today and wish them the very best in their lives. I hope they grow and increase their knowledge in the future, and use that knowledge to be a better person.â€
Jones then took to the podium to pass on a word of advice to the students who will continue their education in the years to come. Jones is a Biological Sciences Instructor at RLC.
Emily Jones, Biological Sciences Instructor, was chosen by the PTK Class of 2015 as the Teacher of the Year. Students said Jones helped them both in class and outside of class with scholarship recommendation letters. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
“I have only one regret as an undergraduate. It’s a common mistake to get caught up in just getting through a course and not focusing on the learning,†said Jones. “When I got to graduate school, I had to re-teach myself many things. I missed that opportunity, but you shouldn’t. I advise you not to look at your classes like an obstacle, but to always ask ‘why’. You have a great tool at your disposal - the faculty; use us. You’ll want to get something out of these classes, not just pass them. Remember this, and good luck in your future. Congratulations.â€
The inductees then signed their name into the chapter’s record book as Aaron Ramsey, PTK Rho Xi chapter President called them to the stage. After the formal induction, the students enjoyed refreshments and snacks at a reception in the Theatre Lobby. Rhonda Jourdan accompanied the ceremony on the piano.
These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Franklin County. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Marissa Battaglia (Royalton), Taylor Blankenship (Mulkeytown), Logan Buckner (Whittington), Megan Buntin (Benton), Emily Culbreth (Benton), William Cutsinger (Thompsonville), Sara Dixon (Benton), Zoie Flatt (Christopher), Brittany Goldsberry (Benton), Daniel Hagerman (Mulkeytown), Sally Heathcoat (Benton), Laryssa Hiller (Mulkeytown), Jacklyn Johnagin (Benton), Kaitlyn Jones (Thompsonville), Andrew Lampley (Benton), Lauren Leffler (Benton), Rachel Marlo (Sesser), Micah Neal (Benton), Alexis Newcomb (Benton), Kristin Odom (Benton), Emily Oxford (Benton), Joshua Schiff (Royalton), Dallas Williams (Benton), Jordan Wills (Benton), and Courtney Young (Buckner). Not pictured is Alan Fox (Sesser). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Jefferson and Wayne counties. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Olivia Bailey (Mt. Vernon), Ashleigh Beaty (Bonnie), Casey Brandt (Mt. Vernon), Bryan Delaney (Texico), Kathleen Derkiek (Ina), Shannon Docherty (Opdyke), Julia Herzing (Scheller), Markarian Johnson (Mt. Vernon), Emily Lusby (Bluford), Joseph McDanel (Mt. Vernon), Alexus McKay (Mt. Vernon), Jeffrey Nociar (Ina), Claire Pytlinski (Waltonville), Courtney Scarbrough (Mt. Vernon), Kelsey Shannon (Mt. Vernon), Rachel Spotanski (Waltonville), Mary Stanfield (Mt. Vernon), Gracie Tate (Mt. Vernon), Diana Williams (Mt. Vernon), and Kenna Zeigler (Wayne City). Not pictured is Courtney Girvan (Bluford), David Jeter (Mt. Vernon), and James Kallmbah (Mt. Vernon). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Perry County. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Danielle Bruns (Pinckneyville), Denise Bruns (Pinckneyville), Dana Harris (Pinckneyville), Leah Hopp (Pinckneyville), Jordan Koenegstein (Tamaroa),Callie Priebe (Pinckneyville), Logan Queen (Pinckneyville), Tyler Reiman (Pinckneyville), Katherine Shubert (Ina), Jordyn Wieland (Pinckneyville), and Leigha Yeager (Tamaroa). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Hamilton, Monroe, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson counties. Pictured is, in alphabetical order, Adam Cross (Dahlgren), Tyler Cross (Dahlgren), Kristin Brentlinger (Wayne City), Jonathan Dauby (Springerton), Temetra Gibson (Herrin), Sarah Headd (Marion), Jerrica Money (Carmi), Brett Morr (Columbia), Hayley Spicer (Sims), Yuting Zhang (Dahlgren), and Miriam Ziehm (Dahlgren). Not pictured is Jaqueline Kellerman (Oakdale) and Ellie Sigman (Chaffee, Mo.). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)