Four members of Southwest Virginia Community College’s Upsilon Upsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently attended the annual Virginia regional Phi Theta Kappa Convention in Charlottesville, Virginia. The members attending were Clayton Trout, Megan Ferrell, John Whiting and Ruby Tran, accompanied by faculty advisor Brady Surles. The convention is an opportunity for Phi Theta Kappa honor students to come together for academic enrichment and fellowship. The convention was attended by twenty-three chapters in the Virginia region. The guest of honor was International Phi Theta Kappa President Tycia Foster.
The chapter received ten awards recognizing their accomplishments in the Virginia Region Civic Engagement and Service projects: Books for Africa, Operation Green focus on Recycling, and Relay for Life. The chapter was also recognized for its participation in the Honors Project focusing on Presidential Homes tour project in the fall semester. In the area of Chapter Programs, Upsilon Upsilon received the 3-star level in the Five Star Chapter Developmental program, and the Platinum Pinnacle award for membership growth. Two members, Clayton Trout and Megan Ferrell, were inducted into the Virginia Phi Theta Kappa Hall of Honor for contributions to their chapter. Clayton Trout was also recognized as one of five outstanding Chapter Presidents of the Virginia Region, and he received the Fellowship Award.
The theme of the convention was based on the Honors Study Topic, featuring two different programs. The first program highlighted the Charlottesville theme of “Three Presidents, Three Friends” and featured visits to the homes of Presidents James Monroe, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson and their involvement in the “Global Dynamics of Power.” The second program focused on the British Empire and the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown, and showcased presentations made by Phi Theta Kappa chapters on colonies of the British Empire. The SwVCC chapter made a presentation that introduced the overall topic of the British Empire as an example of the “Global Dynamics of Power.”
The chapter was also elected to serve as the Virginia Regional Honors Chair for the 2007 – 2008 year. This office has the responsibility of developing projects and programs on the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, “Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power” for the Virginia Region. This includes working with the forty-five chapters in the region and the three statewide conferences held throughout the academic year. The chapter is now making preparations to attend the International Phi Theta Kappa Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, in April, when they will officially take on the responsibility of the VA Region Honors Chair office. They will be assisting with the convention as part of the Virginia Region which is co-hosting this convention.
For additional information about Phi Theta Kappa at SwVCC, contact one of the faculty advisors: brady.surles@sw.edu Michael.brown@sw.edu brian.wright@sw.edu Margaret.james@sw.edu jonathan.romeo@sw.edu or call the college at 276.964.7210.