INA, Ill. (April 10, 2014) - Sixty-six Rend Lake College students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi Chapter yesterday in the RLC Theatre. The induction ceremony featured a number of guest speakers: RLC President Terry Wilkerson; Nathan Brouwer, Associate Professor of History and PTK RX Chapter Advisor; inductee Bailey Wynn (Benton); and honorary faculty inductee Larry Williams, Zoology Professor.
At the beginning of the ceremony, Wilkerson gave all the students words of advice for their education at RLC and beyond.
"We're all proud of you, and we wish you the best of luck," he said. "I challenge you in life to appreciate what you've got and what you've got to do. At Rend Lake College, we're honored that you represent our chapter and our school."
Brouwer agreed, adding, "This group is a perfect example of who will run this world. They are the next generation of leaders. It's a wonderful thing to be an advisor to them and it's an honor to be here."
Next, Wynn introduced Zoology Professor Larry Williams, the 2014 Phi Theta Kappa honorary faculty inductee. She said he was awarded the induction because of his great teaching skills and his efforts to go above and beyond for his students.
Honorary Inductee - RLC Phi Theta Kappa inductee Bailey Wynn (Benton), LEFT, introduced the 2014 PTK honorary faculty inductee Larry Williams, RLC Zoology Professor, RIGHT, during the induction ceremony yesterday. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
"He's one of the best teachers I've ever had," said Wynn. "You can tell he really cares for his students and he would do anything for them. He is one-of-a-kind and he's truly made my education at Rend Lake College one to remember."
Williams, a 33-year instructor at RLC, said he was honored to have been chosen by such an esteemed group.
"I thank you very much for selecting me for this honor. I know there are some wonderful faculty at Rend Lake College, and you chose me, so again, I want to thank you for that," said Williams. "I believe everyone here has the ability to be the very best, and they have the will. I wish you luck in the future."
The inductees then signed their name into the chapter's record book before a reception in the Theatre Lobby.
PTK RX at RLC - These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Perry and Randolph counties. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT are, Alison Bulger (Du Quoin), Sue Greer (Coulterville), Ashley Przygoda (Tamaroa), and Shelbie Thompson (Pinckneyville); BACK ROW, Brandon Conway (Pinckneyville), Patrick Kovic (Pinckneyville), and Adam Valentine (Tamaroa). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
PTK RX at RLC - These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Hamilton, Washington, and Wayne counties. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT are, Christina Parr (McLeansboro), Brittany Hedden (Wayne City), Kristen Keele (Wayne City), Breanne Beard (McLeansboro), and Abbie Braden (McLeansboro); BACK ROW, Elijah Liske (Okawville), Austin Hagene (Nashville), Anna Moreton (Dahlgren), Devin Howton (McLeansboro), and Emma Moreton (Dahlgren). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
PTK RX at RLC - These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Coles, Jackson, Monroe, Randolph, and Williamson counties, and Spencer County, Indiana. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT are, Katelyn Garver (Campbell Hill), Madison Burgett (Charleston), and Jessica Alongi (Herrin); BACK ROW, Clint Reiman (Ava), Sammy Sterns (Carterville), George Ryan Gregson (Waterloo), Travis Waninger (Chrisney, Ind.), and Seth Shelvin (Sparta). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
PTK RX at RLC - These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Franklin County. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT are, Makennah Miller (Benton), Hannah Forby (Benton), Kayla Haney (Ewing), Paige Matthews (Benton), Vanessa Lawrence (Benton), Mikayla Queen (Sesser); BACK ROW, William Kimble (Thompsonville), Jessica Murphy (Thompsonville), Esther Wysong (Thompsonville), Tyler Dennison (Coello), Julian Docherty (Christopher), Matthew Crawford (Sesser), Bailey Wynn (Benton), and Mike Dees (West Frankfort). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
PTK RX at RLC - These Rend Lake College students are Phi Theta Kappa Rho Xi inductees from Jefferson and St. Clair counties. FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT are, Kaitlyn Parcell (Mt. Vernon), Jacque Helverson (Bonnie), Caitlyn Sanders (Mt. Vernon), and Katie Tate (Mt. Vernon); SECOND ROW, Natalie Meador (Mt. Vernon), Jessica Connaway (Mt. Vernon), Casey Jackson (Mt. Vernon), Lindsey Wielt (Mt. Vernon), Kayla Burk (Mt. Vernon), Amber Crawford (Bluford), Krista Storment (Dix), Virginia Price (Opdyke), and Tamara Smith (Mt. Vernon); BACK ROW, Billy Fields (Mt. Vernon), Chelsea Kujawa (Ashley), Sydney Crews (Mt. Vernon), Nathaniel Groh (Mt. Vernon), Garrik McConnell (Mt. Vernon), and Matt Koesterer (Freeburg). Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Other students inducted, but not pictured, include Sara Buffington (Mt. Vernon), Paige Hutchcraft (Whittington), Blake Kiselewski (Woodlawn), Evelyn Mendez (West City), Xavier Ostolaza (Mt. Vernon), Aaron Ramsey (Mt. Vernon), Marisa Uhls (Mt. Vernon), and George Workman (Benton).