New members were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Wayne Community College this week. (Photo courtesy WCC)

New members were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Wayne Community College this week. (Photo courtesy WCC)

GOLDSBORO, — Wayne Community College’s Upsilon Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recently inducted 62 new members in a special ceremony.

To become members of the international honor society, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the required number of semester hours for degree, diploma, and certificate programs. They must commit themselves to scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship to guide their academic journey.

“We are eager to see you demonstrate your leadership not only within our community college but also to the broader world,” WCC President Patty Pfeiffer told the inductees. “You are the embodiment of the wonderful leaders that we have at Wayne Community College.”

Certain elements of the honor society were highlighted during the ceremony, like the torch of knowledge, the rose of blossoming intellect, and the symbols on the Phi Theta Kappa key.

The inductees and their majors, listed by city of residence, are:

Benson

Michelle Kranz, Office Administration Certificate

Dudley

Mya Artis, Associate in Arts;

Desiree Cutshall, Early Childhood Education Career Track;

Linzy De Jesus Merida, Medical Assisting;

James Faulk, Associate in Arts;

Fyah Gladden, Associate in Arts;

Carlos Hernandez-Borralles, Associate in Arts;

Antonia Jackson, Associate in Arts;

Karina Lopez, Business Administration; and

Addison Smith, Associate in Arts

Elm City

Cheyanne Thorne, Applied Animal Science Technology

Faison

Guylar Netchaeff, Associate in Arts

Fayetteville

Jaime Amaya, Industrial Systems Technology

Garland

Arthur Rich, Turfgrass Management Technology

Goldsboro

Maria Avila, Early Childhood Education Non-Licensure Transfer Track;

Ethan Barnes, Associate in Arts;

Jacquelyn Carmichael, Artificial Intelligence Engineer;

S’Navah Clark, Associate in Arts;

Andrew Crawford, Risk Management and Insurance;

Savana Daniels, Associate in Arts;

Chandler Devaul, College Transfer Pathway;

Ashlyn Disney, Medical Laboratory Technology;

Kristofer Gauthier, Associate in Science;

Josiah Harper, Game Art and Animation;

Joelia Henn, Associate in Science;

Heather Lane, Business Administration;

Pablo Martinez Trujillo, Associate in Arts;

Tristan Melick, Welding Technology;

Phillip Rhodes, Mechanical Engineering Technology;

James Ridgle, Associate in Arts;

Yolanda Roberto-Jimenez, Associate in Arts;

Gralynn Sauls, Associate in Arts;

Caitlyn Schallert, Associate in Arts;

Leighanna Sidle, Associate in Arts;

Maria Siquina, Human Services Technology;

Jammie Slaughter, Early Childhood Education Career Track; and

Jamere Williams, Associate in Arts

Hookerton

Emily Madrigal, Associate in Arts

Jacksonville

Tarina Coitti, Swine Management Technology

Kinston

AJ Woodard, Business Administration

Knightdale

Gabriel Modlin, Aviation Systems Technology

Mount Olive

Hannah Hercules, Associate in Arts; and

Leslie Hernandez-Jaime, Associate in Arts

Pikeville

Leah Blevins, Associate in Arts;

Heather Drake, Emergency Management;

Joshua Francis, Entertainment Technologies – Audio Engineer Certificate;

Clifton Grant, Associate in Science;

Nolan Lien, Associate in Science;

Samantha MacKlin, Associate in Arts;

Kevin Pino, Business Administration / Operations Management;

Hayley Rabon, Entertainment Technologies;

Camryn Ryan, Dental Assisting;

Noe Sarmiento, Associate in Arts;

Nicole Torres, Game Art and Animation; and

Marcus Young, Associate in Arts

Princeton

John Lassiter, Industrial Systems Technology

Rockingham

Ricky Parker, Emergency Management

Seven Springs

Ciclaliz Morales-Perez, Associate in General Education – Nursing

Snow Hill

Jessica Byrd, Criminal Justice Technology; and

Leeann Powell, Agribusiness Technology

Turkey

George Jarman, Emergency Management

Walstonburg

Karen Taft, Criminal Justice Technology / Forensic Science

The ceremony’s guest speaker was Derrick Luethje, WCC business instructor and Upsilon Chi member. A first-generation college graduate, Luethje is an alumnus of WCC, the University of Mount Olive, and Barton College.

Luethje shared with the inductees that he was on the verge of dropping out of high school until his principal changed the trajectory of his life through servant leadership, which focuses on listening to and empowering others with empathy. “What changed my path was someone coming into my life and serving me. I had never really had that before,” Luethje said.

He encouraged the new honor society members to impact others by helping and serving them. “You are the future leaders of our communities, the state, and the nation. I implore you to be servant leaders because you might come across someone who just needs one person to say they care about them, and you can change their lives in a major way.”

Phi Theta Kappa provides inductees with lifelong membership and benefits such as scholarship opportunities and discounts with partnering companies.

“Membership in Phi Theta Kappa signifies not only scholarly prowess but also a commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong learning,” said Upsilon Chi Advisor Katie Holloman. “It opens doors to a world of possibilities.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree–granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 4.2 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.