Collin College Students, Faculty Receive PTK Awards

June 30, 2021 Several Collin College students and professors recently received awards from Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the largest and most prestigious honor society among two-year colleges. PTK promotes academic achievement and offers qualified students networking and scholarship opportunities. Membership is by invitation, and students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have earned 12 credit hours.

According to Wendy Gunderson, dean of academic services, the colleges PTK Alpha Mu Tau chapter overcame a variety of challenges this year.

The chapter conducted many meetings and events online due to restrictions from the pandemic, Gunderson said. Even though the Cougarthon, a dance fundraiser, was held virtually, students diligently spread the word. People supported the event which raised more than $7,000 for the Childrens Miracle Network.

Students and faculty members received numerous international, regional, and district awards.

International Level

• Distinguished Regional Officer Award Garrett Norwine of Allen
• Distinguished Chapter Member Deeksha Vivekanand of Frisco
• Paragon Award for New Advisors Dr. Rachel Walker, associate dean of academic affairs and workforce
• Continued Excellence Awards for Advisors Dr. H. Jessica Hargis, professor of political science
• Honors in Action Theme Award of Distinction for Theme 7: Life and Death awarded to the Collin College Alpha Mu Tau chapter
• Top 100 Chapters awarded to the Collin College Alpha Mu Tau chapter

Regional Level

• Continued Excellence Award for Advisors Dr. Jessica Hargis
• Hall of Honor Award for Advisors Dr. Rachel Walker
• Alumni Appreciation Award Hall of Honor for Outstanding Alumni (top alumni honor): Jen Morrow of Lewisville
• Hall of Honor for Chapter Member Award Deeksha Vivekanand of Frisco
• Hall of Honor for Chapter Officer Award Abril Patino-Andrade of Melissa
• Hall of Honor for Chapter Officer Award Anna Seida of Irving
• Friend of Texas Award Carolyn Braswell, counselor
• Hall of Honor for Regional Officer Garrett Norwine of Allen

District Level

District II Hall of Honor inductees:

• Elise Bowles of Plano
• Jessica Huynh of Murphy
• Christie Cox of Aubrey
• Jayna Burch of Princeton
• Anna Seida of Irving
• Alexis Merker of Plano
• Deeksha Vivekanand of Frisco
• Dr. Rachel Walker, advisor

In addition, the Alpha Mu Tau chapter received the Continued Chapter Excellence Award, Texas Top Chapter (No. 12 chapter in Texas), College Project and Honors in Action participation, Five Star Chapter Award, College Project of Merit Award, and the Honors in Action Award of Distinction in Theme 7. Also, the chapter was elected to theTexas Regional Office of President 2021-2022 with Seida serving as representative.

Collin College serves more than 58,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, including new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity degrees. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visitwww.collin.edu.