PTK asks students to commit to finishing their education

The start of the new semester mean many new challenges for students across the MCC district. On Wednesday, students from the MCC-Longview PTK were out in force asking students take those challenges head on and commit to finishing their two-year or four-year degrees before it is too late.

“It is important for students to realize how crucial it is to finish your degree before life or anything else can get in your way,” adviser Jan Rog said.

The group asked students to sign the Community College Completion Corps (C4) banner as a show of commitment that they will finish their degrees before it is too late.

President Barack Obama created the C4 in 2009 specifically challenging Americans to once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world and to produce an additional 5 million community college graduates by 2020. C4 is a student-led initiative headed by PTK chapters across the country. It purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of college completion and to provide resources that will aid students in their quest for completion.

For more information about the commitment drive, contact Jan Rog or your PTK representative on campus.

MCC PTK shines at state leadership training conference

Kappa Tau officers from left to right: Kelly Lucas-V.P. of Correspondence, Oscar Aguilar - V.P. of Public Relations, Alex Balmer - V.P of Service, Nicholas Franklin - V.P. of Leadership, Cathy Baker - Chapter's President, Rikki Atkinson - V.P. of Fundraising, Robert Gaines- V.P. at Large

PTK Vice President Oscar Aguilar and his fellow PTK officers attended the Missouri leadership conference in Columbia this past month. Here is what Oscar had to report after the breathtaking experience with other PTK chapters from around the state:

Friday, July 15, a group of seven Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members and two advisors from Longview’s PTK Chapter, Kappa Tau, headed to Columbia to attend the Missouri regional Honors In Action (HIA) conference held at Steven's college. 

Each year, the community college honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, invites honor students from two-year colleges in Missouri to participate in a weekend seminar concerning HIA. At this time, Phi Theta Kappa honor students are exploring the theme “Democratization of Information: power, promise, and peril” 

MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers featured on KMBC 9 News

J.R. Byers has come a long way in the two years he spent at MCC-Longview. WIth graduation now behind him, J.R. is planning to attend Cornell College in Iowa using a $90,000 grant from the Jack Kent Cook Foundation.

KMBC 9 News caught with J.R. and featured him on the morning news show on his graduation day.

MCC-Longview student feels inspired by Phi Theta Kappa national convention

Through the eyes of our students: Oscar Aguilar and several other MCC-Longview PTK members attended the 93rd international PTK convention in Seattle, Washington. Oscar asked if he could share what the experience meant to him and his peers. This is what he wrote:

Phi Theta Kappa 93rd international convention officially began on April 7 when Dr. Rod A. Risley, the Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa, set the tone and spirit of the convention by challenging students from all around America to become scholars so they may learn how to lead and serve. His words constantly echoed in the minds of the of the audience present; especially, when Dr. Risly invited the students to be the leaders who galvanize people around them.

Dr. Risley’s words prepared PTK members for a convention whose main focus would be to ingrain tremendous importance of scholarly research in the mind of the students.

For this purpose, several educational forums were held during three days, in which PTK members explored in-depth techniques to approach scholarly research, ways to develop and fulfill a research project, and, most importantly, the importance of reflecting once the project had taken it final form.

MCC-Longview PTK receives national recognition

MCC-Longview's Phi Theta Kappa chapter once again was in the spotlight for its outstanding leadership and work on campus and throughout the community.

While at the PTK National Convention in Seattle, the campus honors society and its advisers were recognized and honored for their continued work. Not only was the hard work of the students highlighted in front of an audience of hundreds of fellow PTK members from around the country, but adviser Margret Berter and president Fred Grogan also were honored for their dedication to PTK here on campus.

Dr. Fred Grogan
Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction

The outstanding community college executive officers receiving this award have provided extensive support and a variety of resources for their colleges’ Phi Theta Kappa chapters, including faculty advisor release time, a line-item budget for the chapter, financial support for chapters to participate in regional and international events and scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.

Many of these presidents speak at their chapter inductions, serve as statewide Phi Theta Kappa presidential ambassadors and coordinate All-State Academic Team programs. The Shirley B. Gordon Awards are named for the President Emeritus of Highline Community College, now serving as chairman of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors.

Margaret Berter
Continued Excellence Award for Advisors

Award-winning advisers are those who make significant contributions to the growth of the individual members, serve as the chapter's advocate on campus, and encourage the chapter to be involved on the local, regional and/or international level of the organization.

Cathy Baker, Mathew Baker, JR Byers, Robert Gaines, Kelly Lucas, Ellen Parsons, and Kristine Vainovksa
The Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Awards

The officers demonstrate an exceptional atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities, promotion of Honors in Action and other engagement in the Society, and enthusiasm for the Society’s Hallmarks.

Congratulations to all the award winners and their continued success.

New PTK inductees at MCC-Longview

MCC-Longview's Phi Theta Kappa chapter inducted 73 new members into the campus honor society this past month. Those new members were surrounded by family and supporters who packed the MEl Aytes Education Center for the ceremony.

Here is what PTK's co-sponsor Jan Rog said about the event:

"The Mel Aytes Education Center was literally buzzing because of all the energy and intelligence this group brought.  When the inductees stood up to sign the Phi Theta Kappa book and then light a candle of knowledge, they truly surrounded everyone in the audience.  That was a a lovely moment."

MCC students shine at PTK honors lunch

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said it best: "The people sitting in this room today are the future leaders of tomorrow."

That room the governor was addressing was the Phi Theta Kappa awards lunch in Jefferson City honoring some the top faculty and students from community colleges across the state.

As part of the Missouri Community College Association's Rally Day at the state Capitol, the awards lunch highlighted some of the top performing students and faculty that have made a distinct impact on their campus, community and peers back home.

A number of Metropolitan Community College students were named to the All-Missouri Academic Team, which recognizes 35 of the top academic and philanthropic students in the state.

MCC-Longview students win PTK regional elections and top awards

Congratulations to Kelly Lucas and Robert Gaines who both won their respective elections to the Phi Theta Kappa Regional Office.

Lucas and Gaines will now represent MCC-Longview at the higher regional level with PTK helping shape the organization state-wide.

"I am incredibly proud that our MCC-Longview team totally rocks. Their numerous awards and roles are well-deserved," PTK adviser Jan Rog said.

Along with the recognition, MCC-Longview's PTK chapter and officers took home several awards that highlighted the outstanding work that Longview students have put into the organization.

Lais da Silva won Distinguished Chapter Member.
J.R. Byers won Distinguished Chapter Officer.

Grogan to be honored for his leadership at Phi Theta Kappa national convention

MCC-Longview president Fred Grogan has been named the recipient of the Phi Theta Kappa Shirley B Gordon Award of Distinction.

The national award is named after Phi Theta Kappa’s longest serving board chairwoman and founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington.

"I am extremely gratified to receive this award from such an important and prestigious organization," Grogan said. "However, I am even more pleased to have been nominated by the students and advisers of the Longview chapter, Kappa Tau. Our PTK chapter has consistently served their membership and the college in an exemplary fashion.  The support we have been able to provide to this fine student organization has resulted in benefits back to the college many times over."

Campus president nominated by their PTK chapter are selected for this award based on their outstanding support of PTK, a campus honors organization that serves students and the community.

For years, Grogan has supported the efforts and individuals of the PTK honors society at MCC-Longview. His dedication and unwavering support for this student organization has proven to be invaluable as students come and go from MCC-Longview remember with much pride their time here with PTK and its advisors.

Grogan will be given the award at PTK’s national convention in April in Seattle, Washington during the groups general session with more than 3,500 students, PTK advisers and campus presidents in attendance.

Foundation scholarship opens new horizons for MCC-Longview student J.R. Byers

J.R. Byers is getting the most of his education. It’s not just that he is taking advantage of his classes or extra curricular activities while here at MCC-Longview.

Rather, Byers is also taking advantage of the MCC Foundation, which is helping with a full scholarship to pay for school.

“This has to be one the most important things the school is doing for its students,” Byers said of himself and dozens of others who received scholarships from the board and the foundation to complete their education.

“My opportunities have expanded exponentially,” he said. “When I first started I was not sure I could afford to go to a community college let alone a four-year school.”

As a former corporate trainer and business owner, Byers hit a string of bad luck when the economy began to go south. He had to sell his business and immediately started looking for a way to continue to support himself and his children as a single parent.

Originally, Byers had thought he was going to use MCC-Longview as a starting place for a teaching degree, but with renewed confidence given to him by instructors and an opportunity to save a little money on the side, Byers says he now wants to continue in his education and get a Master’s degree or even a Ph.D. in linguistic philosophy or anthropology.

His high GPA and involvement with Phi Theta Kappa also has made him an interesting prospect to other schools. Columbia, Syracuse and handful of others from around the country are all courting Byers as he now prepares to make the decision on where to go after next semester.

“Without the foundation, none of this would have been possible,” Byers said. “For me now, the sky is the limit.”

Even with an unlimited horizon ahead of him, Byers still is quick to credit those at the foundation and at the head of each of his classes for helping him become so successful in his two short years at MCC.

Honor Society chapter chartered at MCC-BTC

A new chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has been chartered at MCC-Business & Technology Campus! Future chapter advisors Tim Gill and Becky Breit and student Michael Whited have done the groundwork. Honor students are now being recruited to form the chapter, which will be called Beta Tau Kappa.

MCC-MW inducts new members to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

MCC-Blue River's Phi Theta Kappa honors new inductees

The Alpha Pi Sigma chapter of Metropolitan Community College - Blue River’s Phi Theta Kappa recently inducted over thirty area students into the honor society. To be eligible for induction, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) and have completed at least 12 credit hours at MCC-Blue River in courses numbered 100 or above. Students must also maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain a member.

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a permanent recognition of a student’s hard work and academic achievement. The organization offers unique opportunities for scholarships, honors studies, leadership development and civic engagement. The significance of membership is recognized by other colleges, universities and potential employers.

The 2010-11 inductees are: Aaron Butz, Jordan Gowan, Abigal Brightwell, Kathleen Zeiler, Alexis McGhee, Kayla Hopkins, Angela Fields, Kristin Wright, Chante Campbell, Kristy Bailey, Charity Vitteto, Laura Harz, Charles Rockhold, Cristina Martinez, Crystal Brown, Laura Hankins, Daniel C. Lamb III, Lisa Aber, David Kinne, Micah Chrisman, Donovan Hill, Michael Slocum, Elisa Wood, Michael Brown, Gina Duffie, Shayla Nelson, Jacqueline Klenklen, Sherry Rosson, John Billings, Trey Turner, Jonathan Yuille and Zachary Lucas.

Phi Theta Kappa, founded in 1918, is recognized as the official honor society for two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. Among the Society's distinguished alumni are the late Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, astronaut Fred Haise and journalist Jim Lehrer.

For more information, visit www.mcckc.edu/blueriver.

MCC-Maple Woods Phi Theta Kappa - Upsilon Xi Chapter welcomes new members

MCC-Longview blood drive

MCC-Longview Blood Drive sponsored by PTK

Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

MCC-Longview

Private Dining Room/ Campus Center

500 Longview Road

Lee's Summit, MO 64081

There is no substitute for blood. It has to come from one person in order to give to another. A critical number of voluntary donations are required every day to meet the need for blood in the areas we serve. However, we are consistently falling short, and falling short means we may not have enough blood for someone like you.


Sign up for a desired time by making an appointment online. Walk-ins are always welcome!

Once you get to the website enter you email address and date of birth. If you have used the online appointment system before your information will display for your approval. If you have not used our online system before you can fill out the form with some basic information that the blood bank will need.

Then click the "Continue and View Blood Drives" button. You will see our blood drive.

If you went to the site without using the link and don't see our drive enter MCClongview where it asks for the sponsor code. Click the circle to the left of the day you would like your appointment. On the next page, pick a time. Then you will receive an e-mail confirming your appointment.

Click Here now to make your appointment! You are going to save a life!

Questions and Comments:

If you have any questions about donating blood, please contact the Community Blood Center at 1-888-647-4040 or visit their Web site at http://www.savealifenow.org/. If you have any questions about the blood drive, contact [Site Coordinator] at margaret.berter@mcckc.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa regional conference showcases MCC-Longview student

This past weekend (July 16-July 18), the Phi Theta Kappa advisers and various Phi Theta Kappa student members of MCC-Blue River, MCC-Longview, and MCC-Maple Woods attended the organization’s regional conference in Sedalia, Mo.

It was an engaging, lively time, and it set a great tone for our upcoming school year. As a refreshing start to the year, MCC-Longview PTK adviser Jan Rog said the weekend conference was also a chance for campus leaders to showcase some of their talents – especially MCC-Longview student Kristine Vainovska.

Vainovska, an international student from Latvia, was awarded the Missouri Leaders of Promise scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to three dedicated PTK students throughout the state.

“This really is such an honor for me,” Vainovska said. “It’s humbling to be recognized like this for the work I have done with PTK.”

To even be eligible for the scholarship, the students must maintain a GPA of 3.25 and be a member in good standing through PTK.

Vainovska graduated from Hickman Mills High School where she was an exchange student. She stayed in the United States to attend college at MCC-Longview where she is getting her general education degree. In the Spring she plans to graduate and transfer to Northwest Missouri State University.