LCC
Phi Theta Kappa Inducts Record Number
The
Laredo Community College Theta Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently
inducted 33 LCC students to the prestigious international honor society.
The
fall induction ceremony began with PTK co-senior advisor José D. Compeán
leading a procession, which included the inductees, PTK Student President
Christine Tijerina, Vice-President of Instruction and Student Development and
master of ceremonies Dr. Juan L. Maldonado, keynote speaker Gracie C. Ramirez
and PTK co-senior advisor Dr. Jacinto P. Juarez.
Following
the end of the procession, Dr. Maldonado welcomed the persons in attendance and
congratulated the inductees for achieving success in their academic studies.
Maldonado
further explained that the purpose of the honor society of Phi Theta Kappa is to
nurture academic excellence, provide leadership training, promote an
intellectual climate for an interchange of ideas and ideals and instill scholars
with a desire for continuing their education.
Dr.
Juarez introduced Mrs. Ramirez, former Laredo Independent School District
superintendent.
Ramirez
delivered an inspirational and motivational speech to the inductees.
She advised the honorees to follow through with their career and personal
goals in life.
After
concluding her eloquent speech, Ramirez received a standing ovation from the
inductees, family and friends.
Following
the keynote presentation, the traditional induction ceremony began.
Compeán said to the audience, “I am pleased to present to you these
candidates for membership in our Honor Society.
These students have fulfilled all requirements for membership
and have
been selected
because they have
chosen
scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship as their hallmarks. I recommend
them for acceptance into the Theta Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society of Two-Year Colleges.”
Inducted
to the Phi Theta Kappa were a record number of students, including: Robert
Jessie Almanza, Nathaniel Paul Avila, Brenda T. Benavides, Rebecca Annette
Buckley, Alejandro Cañedo, Norma Castillo, Gina Yvonne Cazares, Alexis Cristine
Cisneros, Ana Gabriel Cuellar, Norma Lee Flores, Joe Hector Garza, Virginia Faye
Garza, Sara Alicia Guerra, Lorena Hernandez, Rosangela Herrera, Elizabeth A.
Hourigan, Rodney Eric Lara, Ramon Lopez, Claudia F. Martinez, Andrew Roger
Miller, Sergio Morales, Angelica Padilla, Elizabeth C. Rodriguez, Emanuel O.
Rodriguez, Patricia Ann H. Ruiz, Carlos Jose Sanchez, Alfredo Sandoval, Alfredo
Torres, Mario Valdez, Caroline Vasquez, Delia Vasquez, Bonnie Jo Villarreal and
Cynthia M. Villarreal.
During
the induction, Phi Theta Kappa Student President Tijerina congratulated the
inductees.
“You
(inductees) will find among the members an atmosphere of scholarship, to which
you must give of yourself so that the organization may be meaningful to you.”
She
continued, “Our ideals may be expressed in the words of Sir Francis Bacon in
his essay, Of Studies. ‘Studies
serve for delight, for ornament and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in private and retiring; for
ornament, is in discourse; and for ability is in the judgement and disposition
of business. Read not contradict
and confuse; not to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and
discourse; but to weigh and consider.”
As
Advisor Compeán read the names of the inductees, each approached the stage to
sign the book of record. After all
thirty-three new members were introduced, President Tijerina began the candle
lighting ceremony. She administered
the Phi Theta Kappa oath. Upon
concluding the ceremony the new members conducted their first meeting and
elected officers: Christine Tijerina, president; Cynthia M. Villarreal, vice
president; Sara Alicia Guerra, secretary; and Joe Hector Garza, treasurer.
The
LCC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter holds meetings on the first and third Wednesday of
each month at 1 p.m. in the Kazen Center, room 221. An orientation for students selected as Spring 2004
candidates for induction to Phi Theta Kappa will be on February 17 at 1 p.m. in
the Kazen Center, room 121. The
spring induction will be held on March 4.
Event organizers extended words of gratitude to several faculty and staff members for their assistance in the ceremony, including Reference Librarian Bill Wisner for the reception and Media Center Coordinator Ceferino Izaguirre for technical support.
For more information about the Phi Theta Kappa organization at LCC, contact Compean at 721-5304 or Juarez at 721-5832.
A record number of 33 Laredo Community College students were inducted to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society during the fall semester. A traditional ceremony was held in the de la Garza Building, room 101, to recognize the students for garnering the prestigious honor.
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