Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for community college students that was founded in 1918. Its mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of community college students and provide opportunities for growth and leadership through honors programs and scholarships. Membership provides access to over $37 million in scholarships as well as leadership programs to help students succeed in completing their education and transferring to four-year schools.

1. Alpha Upsilon Upsilon Chapter
at W.C.C.C.

2.  The
purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to
recognize and encourage scholarship among
two-year college students. To achieve this
purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide
opportunity for the development of
leadership and service, for an intellectual
climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for
lively fellowship for scholars, and for
stimulation of interest in continuing
academic excellence.

3. Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold:
Recognize and encourage the academic
achievement of two-year college
students and;
Provide opportunities for individual
growth and development through
participation in honors, leadership,
service and fellowship programming.

4. 1918
 Phi Theta Kappa is founded by presidents of eight
Missouri junior colleges for women, who seek to
establish an academic honor society with a
common purpose and organization.
1921
 The first Phi Theta Kappa membership pin is
designed.
1924
 The Phi Theta Kappa Constitution is amended to
provide for chartering of chapters at coeducational
and all-male schools.
 The Phi Theta Kappa seal is adopted.

5. 1929
 At the annual meeting held November 18-19 in Atlantic City, New
Jersey, the American Association of Junior Colleges (now known as the
American Association of Community Colleges or AACC) officially
recognizes Phi Theta Kappa as the national honor society for junior
colleges. November 19 is now recognized annually as Phi Theta Kappa
Founders Day.
1930
 The Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key membership pin is adopted and remains
in use today. The Key is a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom.
Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three
Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words
meaning phronimon (Phi), thumos (Theta), katharotes (Kappa) and
meaning wisdom, aspiration and purity. Behind the band is a wreath, on
one side composed of oak leaves, and on the other, of laurel. The wreath
of oak leaves denotes stability and strength of character, and the curling
leaves of laurel signify achievement and success. Above the band is a
representation of the head of Athena, symbol of learning; in the base
appear the Greek letters forming the word meaning light, the light of
learning and knowledge (φῶς, phi, omega and sigma).
 A membership certificate is approved.
 A Coat of Arms, now known as the Crest, is approved.

6. 1975
 The first transfer scholarship specifically for Phi Theta Kappa
members is established by Dr. Jack Guistwhite, an
administrator at Florida Atlantic University. Currently
approximately 735 colleges and universities across the
United States, in Canada and Great Britain offer $37
million in transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa
members.
1993
 Phi Theta Kappa celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1996
 Phi Theta Kappa establishes a website.
1998
 The Golden Key weekly electronic newsletter is launched.
2006
 Phi Theta Kappa inducts its
2 millionth member.

7. 





Validate your academic success
We reward your hard work with membership in the largest community college honor
society.
Empower you for future success
The transition to college isn't easy, whether you are entering directly after high
school or after years outside the classroom. We can help, with support from your
campus chapter and real resources built around the needs of community college
students.
Expand your academic horizons
Use our honors program, Honors in Action, and your research and leadership skills to
engage in problem-solving and make a difference through service.
Develop "soft" skills
Learn about effective written and oral communications, leadership skills, critical
thinking, time management and teamwork through Five Star Competitive Edge
professional development plan.
Keep you on track to complete college
We're committed to increasing credentialing rates. See how we can help with
scholarship information and our transfer planning platform, CollegeFish.org.
Connect you to our world of scholars
Be part of a global network of students through our interactive website, Facebook,
Twitter and cutting-edge technology available 24/7, providing complete
programming access to distance learners and evening students.

8. Membership recognizes your academic success:
The Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Membership Pin
 A Phi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate and ID
Card
 Recognition during college induction ceremony
 Recognition by wearing Phi Theta Kappa
Commencement Regalia during college
graduation
 Announcement of earned Membership on Phi
Theta Kappa's website
 A Press Release announcing your academic
achievement


9. Membership empowers you with a competitive edge:
 $37 million in scholarships for members only
 FREE enrollment in CollegeFish.org, a transfer and college
completion planning tool
 FREE access to Five Star Competitive Edge, a personal and
professional development plan for building marketable skills
and an online portfolio
 FREE access to our Career Resource Center
 Opportunity to be published in Phi Theta Kappa's
anthology, Nota Bene
 Opportunities to develop research and servant leadership
skills by participating in Honors in Action programming in
local chapter
 Opportunity to become part of a network of over 2.5 million
fellow scholars and servant leaders on more than 1,270
campuses worldwide
 Increased pay grade for entry level federal jobs
 Personalized letters of recommendation for scholarships and
employment

10. Transfer Scholarships:
 More than $37 million in transfer scholarships are
available to Phi Theta Kappa members and they
are available for over 700 four-year colleges and
universities.
 Awards are administered directly by the senior
institution.
Scholarships Administered by Phi Theta Kappa:
 Phi Theta Kappa administers scholarships using a
common application. Applicants may apply for
one scholarship on the common application or
multiple scholarships at the same time.

11. Fall Scholarships
Spring Scholarships
Other Opportunities
Hites Transfer
Scholarships
Frank Lanza Memorial
Scholarship
The Hispanic
Scholarship Fund
Guistwhite Scholarships Coca-Cola Leaders of
Promise
The Jack Kent Cooke
Undergraduate Transfer
Scholarships
All-USA Community
College Academic
Team
The Jeannette Rankin
Foundation
GEICO Business Student
Scholarship
Coca-Cola Community
College Academic
Team
International Scholar
Laureate Program
New Century Scholars
Pearson Prize for
Higher Education
All-State Community
College Academic
Team

12. To be eligible for membership:
 You must be enrolled in a regionally accredited
institution offering an associate degree program.
 You must have completed at least 12 hours of
coursework that may be applied to an associate
degree (part-time students may be eligible).
 You must generally have a grade point average of
3.5.
 You must receive an invitation to membership
from the chapter at the college where presently
enrolled.
 You must adhere to the moral standards of the
society in accordance with the Society's
Constitution.

13. Visit www.PTK.org and
contact our Phi Theta Kappa Advisor!
W.C.C.C. Youngwood
Alpha Upsilon Upsilon
Local Chapter Advisor:
Dr. Patricia Guth
guthp@wccc.edu
(724) 925-4240

14.  www.WCCC.edu
 www.ptk.org