HONORS SOCIETY EARNS AWARDS
Beta Nu Eta, the Citrus College chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society, has been recognized as a Five Star Chapter for the second consecutive year, and two of its members have been named to the All-California Academic Team.
Beta Nu Eta received this prestigious designation during PTK's regional conference held in March. Students Alex Bazaar and Beatriz Santos attended the conference in San Francisco, where they learned of the Five Star honor and of their placement on the All-California Academic Team.
According to Brian Waddington, honors program coordinator and history instructor, Five Star is the highest ranking a chapter of the national community college honor society can receive.
"There are a number of activities that the chapter has to complete to be considered Five Star," Waddington said. "These include creating an 'honors in action' research service project, coordinating with another college's chapter to complete a regional project, attending regional conferences, participating in an international event and holding PTK awareness events on campus."
The Five Star recognition acknowledges Beta Nu Eta's service, scholastic excellence and involvement at the regional and national levels of the national honor society.
"Achieving Phi Theta Kappa's highest rating is a great honor that speaks volumes about the time and effort Citrus College students have invested in their academic pursuits," said the college's superintendent/president. "On behalf of the entire college community, I congratulate the Beta Nu Eta chapter on this incredible accomplishment. I also extend my heartfelt congratulations to the students who made the All-California Academic Team."
The purpose of PTK's all-state academic team program is to recognize the top community college students in each state.
In California, selection to the team is the culmination of a lengthy process that begins with the faculty of each community college reviewing possible candidates, verifying their grade point averages and inviting them to apply for the team.
Candidates then fill out applications outlining their contributions to their college and service to their community.
These applications are evaluated by PTK, and compared with those of other nominees from PTK chapters throughout the state. Each candidate receives a score, which determines whether they are placed on the first, second or third team. Citrus College student Alex Bazaar received first team recognition and Citrus College student Beatriz Santos was named to the second team.
This places them among the state's top 85 community college students.
"Alex and Beatriz have shown initiative, superior academic achievement and intellectual promise," the college superintendent/president stated. "This is a well-deserved honor, and they have made Citrus College proud."
Brian Waddington, honors program coordinator, and Dr. Dana Hester, dean of social and behavioral sciences and distance education, congratulate Citrus College PTK students Alex Bazaar and Beatriz Santos after they were named to the All-California Academic Team.
This article originally appeared in the May 2017 edition of the Citrus View.