Phi Theta Kappa at DCTC

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2024

Honor society welcomes nearly 70 new members

Phi Theta Kappa at Dakota County Technical College held the induction ceremony for spring semester Tuesday afternoon, March 19, 2024, in the Dakota Room on the college’s campus in Rosemount, Minnesota. Nearly 70 new members were invited to join the honor society.

Michael Berndt

Also recognized at the event were the college’s 2023–2024 Gold Apple Award recipients. PTK inductees honor DCTC staff or faculty members who have contributed to their success in college by nominating them for a Golden Apple Award.

DCTC and Inver Hills President Michael Berndt welcomed new PTK members and their guests to the ceremony. He is always impressed by the turnout for the event.

“It was so exciting to see how many PTK inductees we had,” President Berndt said. “PTK creates a community of learners that celebrates excellence—excellence in scholarship and excellence in teaching. I was also happy to see so many faculty recognized by the students for their teaching and support.”

Melissa Fletcher

Melissa Fletcher, director of educational access and disability resources at DCTC, served as the keynote speaker at the event. The title of her speech was “Success.”

“Success is not just a list of goals to reach/check off, but what and who you practice being every day,” she related to attendees. “Success is outlined through the mission of Phi Theta Kappa: Wisdom, Knowledge, Leadership, Honesty, Integrity, Trust, Communication, Participation, Creating spaces of Wellness and Empathy for others.

“Finally, failure is part of success, too! The journey is not a straight line from start to finish, but a curved path with highs and lows. During the low times, there is support—find your boat to help you float…”

Melissa noted that the graphic below was a highlight attendees talked about after her speech.

New PTK Members 2023–2024

Brian Aamot • Abigail Alvarez • Brooklyn Rae Anderson • Jeremy Bahr • Sidney Bartz • Lucia Berocay • Amanda Blank • Jeffrey Bonogofsky • Tessa Breeggman • Robert John Burmeister • Lisa Caputo • Amanda Carsten• Jessica Cole • Saw Eh Dah • Michelle Docobo • Hannah Downes • Erica Faye Duffy • Isabel Erickson • Carter Farone • Tonya Frieler • Samuel Fritschel • Sara Fry • Monika Gray • Alyssa Habeger • Cody Hall • Georgia Hall • Bailey Harten • Haley Hornisch • Jayda Hovis • Rachael Louise Jones • Maci Karels • Laura Keohokalole • Sharon Keroro • Ebony Rain Knight • Daniel Knipe • Jessica Knoblach • Sophia Koehler • Bryce “Ricky” Leszczynski • James Longhenry • Kendra Louks • Sydnie Mailer-Kelly • Maximilian D. Mallory • Robert Miklya • Melissa Mills • Ian Miner • Roberta Minjares • Kathryn Motz • Ivo Mukete • Alexis Rio Marie Nordling • Christopher Pearson • Jessica Peters • Christopher Raberge • Kristin Raveling • Christopher D. Reineke • Thomas Rudolph • Annie Schafer • Noah Schall • Adam Schneider • Jennifer Leigh Shannon • Chyann Shockley • Shaheim Shockley • Alma Spence • Fruquan Stewart • Mason Talbot • Mary Siah KumbahTambah • Jacob Titus • Kaylee Tveit • Evelyn Veliz Mendez • Scott Ware • Ivan Weiss • Jessalyn Williams • Samajay Williams • Ivy Willis • Abenet Wordofa • Nikolas Ybarra • Jake Young-Zabrocki

Student perspective: Natasha Grad

“The induction ceremony for PTK holds such a large significance for me and is an integral part of the PTK experience. Witnessing fellow members embrace this pivotal moment in their PTK and DCTC journey was truly a great experience.”

Natasha Grad
Professional Photography A.A.S. Graduate
Small Business Entrepreneur Certificate Graduate
Digital Marketing Specialist A.A.S. Major
Phi Theta Kappa Social Media Manager
Student Senate Campus Liaison
Rotaract Club President
BPA Minnesota State Chapter President
Student Ambassador
DCTC Alumni Board Member

Golden Apple Recipients 2023–2024

Brenda Arneson • Margaret Erickson • Amy Evanson • Scott Galbari • Scott R. Gunderson • Jill Holden • Dr. Christy Hutchins, DVM • Susan Johanson • Wes Jorde • Shelly (Michelle) Kleeberger • Meri Kosman • Julinee Kratcha • Renee LeMieux • Stephanie Magras • Erin Manthey • Jeff Roseland • Marie Saunders • Dr. Harold E. Torrence • Anna Voight • Sara Woodward • Adrienne Zarn

Administrator, faculty, and staff perspectives…

Jodi Osborn

“It was an honor and privilege to be a part of the recent DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony. I am always moved by the indomitable spirit demonstrated by our Phi Theta Kappa student inductees. Their dedication to scholarship, leadership, and service exemplifies the core of academic excellence.

“Equally commendable is the unwavering support and guidance provided by our faculty members, who go above and beyond in many capacities. Their continued mentorship fosters the growth and success of these exceptional students. Together, they embody the transformative power of education and the boundless opportunities it offers.

“Congratulations to our Phi Theta Kappa inductees, our Golden Apple faculty recipients, and heartfelt gratitude to all faculty and staff who help to illuminate the path to greatness.”

Jodi Osborn
Dean of Business, Health, & Education
Dakota County Technical College

Amy Evanson

“The Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony is where we formally recognize and celebrate PTK’s newest members and their academic achievements. This was and always is such a great event and opportunity where we celebrate with family, friends, and the local DCTC community.

“New PTK members may also nominate a DCTC faculty or staff member for a Golden Apple Award. This is an opportunity for new members to recognize a DCTC staff or faculty member who has contributed to their success. Golden Apple Award recipients were also recognized during a portion of the PTK Induction Ceremony.

“It’s always an honor and joy to be able to celebrate some of the many achievements and accomplishments students, staff, and faculty have here at DCTC. This ceremony is something I look forward to each year! Congratulations to all of our newest PTK Members and Golden Apple Award recipients!”

Amy Evanson
Administrative Technology Faculty
Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor
Dakota County Technical College

Wes Jorde

“I’ve greatly enjoyed celebrating successful learning and engagement with our PTK members. In this group, students support each other and share values that underly powerful educational experiences. The DCTC chapter will continue to expand and influence as a result of its forward-thinking leadership and committed members.”

Wes Jorde
Philosophy Faculty
Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor
Dakota County Technical College

Melissa Fletcher

“Phi Theta Kappa represents some of DCTC’s best student leaders in both academic and extracurricular work. I was truly honored to be asked to participate in PTK’s annual ceremony. Congrats to all the PTK inductees!”

Melissa Fletcher
Director of Educational Access and Disability Resources
Dakota County Technical College

Anna Voight

“Congratulations to our Phi Theta Kappa inductees! It is no small feat to achieve the academic rigor membership requires, especially with the many challenges facing college students today.

“Our students often juggle a full-time credit load, multiple jobs, family responsibilities, medical/mental health conditions, and more, while still finding a way to achieve academic excellence in their courses. The resilience of our students never ceases to amaze me, and I am so proud of our 2024 inductees!”

Anna Voight
Associate Director of Student Life
Dakota County Technical College

Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2024 gallery

View more event photos by visiting the DCTC Flickr album:

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Induction Ceremony Spring 2024

More about Phi Theta Kappa at DCTC…

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. PTK provides many leadership and civic engagement opportunities for students.

To be eligible for membership, you must have completed a minimum of 12 hours of coursework at DCTC with a cumulative GPA of 3.5; you must also be registered for six (6)or more credits in the semester you’re invited.

Invitations are emailed to student email accounts at the beginning of fall and spring semester—after the add-drop period.

The name, Phi Theta Kappa, features the initials for the Greek words phronimon for “wisdom,” thumos for “purity,” and katharotes for “aspiration.”

Important links

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa History
Eligibility for Membership
Phi Theta Kappa Membership Benefits

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2023

Learn more about Phi Theta Kappa at DCTC by contacting:

Amy Evanson
Administrative Technology Faculty
Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor
amy.evanson@dctc.edu
651-423-8239
BIO

Wes Jorde
Philosophy Faculty
Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor
wes.jorde@dctc.edu
651-423-8054
BIO

Click images below to see previous DCTC PTK Induction Ceremony Flickr albums:

DCTC/Inver Hills Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2022

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2020

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2019

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2028

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2017

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2016

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Spring 2015

DCTC Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony Fall 2014