(L-R) Phi Theta Kappa officers Savina Cancino, Rebecca Winters, advisor Carolyn Mattern, officer Cody Oldham, and regional officer Rita Erickson attended the international PTK conference last week in Orlando, FL where Red Rocks won nine awards, including 7th place among the world’s 1,300 chapters for Distinguished Chapter.
LAKEWOOD, CO – The Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Sigma, returned from their annual international convention with a record number of awards.
PTK chapter advisor Carolyn Mattern, officers Savina Cancino, Rebecca Winters, and Cody Oldham, and regional officer Rita Erickson attended the conference, which took place this year in Orlando, FL. Among their nine awards, RRCC’s Alpha Kappa Sigma earned 7th place for Distinguished Chapter, which is selected from over 1,300 chapters in the world.
“I’m so proud of this team,” said Carolyn Mattern, Advisor for RRCC’s chapter. “These achievements demonstrate the dedication and leadership of our students, who not only excel in academics, but are committed to serving our community.”
The chapter earned the following awards:
Distinguished Honors in Action Project
Distinguished Honors in Action Theme Award – “Culture of Competition”
Continued Excellence Advisor – Carolyn Mattern
Distinguished Officer Team – Savina Cancino, Rebecca Winters and Cody Oldham
Distinguished Officer – Savina Cancino
Distinguished College Project
Distinguished Chapter
Top 100 Chapters list
7th Finalist for Distinguished Chapter
The chapter won the Distinguished Honors in Action award for their research project, which focused on the Culture of Competition. They studied the impact of competition among non-profit agencies and implemented a donation drive for three agencies as part of the project.
The team’s awarding-winning “Distinguished College Project” is the Fox Star Challenge volunteer contest. Beginning last fall, students were encouraged to volunteer—on campus or within the community—with a goal of 5,000 total volunteer hours by the end of spring semester. This week, the chapter achieved their goal. One lucky student won a drawing for a free 3-credit class at Red Rocks, and all participants will be recognized at a reception on May 9.
More about Phi Theta Kappa: Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programs. Membership into Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation, extended only to students who meet eligibility requirements. Founded in 1918, there are 1,300 chapters worldwide.
More about Red Rocks Community College: Established in 1969, Red Rocks Community College delivers high-quality, affordable education programs leading to two-year degrees or professional certificates. The college serves over 14,000 students per year online and at campus locations in Lakewood and Arvada. www.rrcc.edu.