Randolph Community College celebrates 25 years of excellence with Phi Theta Kappa Fall Induction Ceremony

Booth, Foley awarded annual Waymon C. Martin Scholarships

Randolph Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society chapter, Beta Theta Rho, commemorated its 25th anniversary and held its Fall Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 16, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center Auditorium. The event highlighted the chapter’s legacy of academic excellence, community service, and leadership development.

During the ceremony, Early Childhood Education student Cindy Booth and Accounting student Ireland Foley were awarded prestigious Waymon C. Martin PTK Scholarships. Forty-two students were inducted into the chapter, joining more than 4,000 RCC students who have become PTK members over the past quarter-century.

Beta Theta Rho also celebrated its 22nd consecutive year as a Five-Star Chapter, the highest recognition for PTK chapters worldwide.

“This milestone represents the unwavering commitment of our students, faculty, and staff to academic excellence and service,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “Phi Theta Kappa exemplifies the transformational opportunities we provide at RCC, and we are immensely proud of this chapter’s legacy and its contribution to student success.”

The Waymon C. Martin PTK Scholarship, presented annually to full-time students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, honors the former RCC Business Administration Department Head and PTK adviser, who served the College from 2001 to 2017.

The ceremony also featured RCC graduate and 2023-2024 Student Government Association President Paulina Escobar as the alumni speaker. Automotive Systems Technology Instructor and PTK member Patrick Pardee delivered a compelling keynote address, inspiring the audience with reflections on personal growth and academic achievement. Clark Adams, PTK Advisor and RCC English/Communications Instructor, gave the welcome, while PTK Secretary Meredith Hargett led the Pledge of Allegiance. PTK Public Relations Officer Raven Steverson led the invocation, and PTK President Alexius Flowers led the induction process with PTK Vice President Cathy Turpin also presiding over the ceremony and PTK Treasurer Marco Gloria assisting new members in signing the membership roster.

Following the ceremony, a reception to honor the new members was hosted by PTK Advisors and RCC Spanish Instructors Dolores Vargas Benavides and Gabby Nall in the Armadillo Café along with RCC Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Education Grey Lane. RCC Mathematics instructor Ellen Adam is also a PTK Advisor.

As Beta Theta Rho looks ahead to its next 25 years, the chapter remains a beacon of opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, gain access to scholarships, and build a foundation for lifelong success. 

Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com and SmartAsset and second in the nation by SmartAsset, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. For more information, call 336-633-0200 or visit www.randolph.edu and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.