At BMCC’s graduation, approximately 60 students get to sit on stage at Madison Square Garden (MSG) alongside BMCC professors, deans and administrators. These BMCC students are receiving diplomas with their peers sitting out in the MSG audience, but there’s something special about them—and it’s not just their gold sashes.
These students are members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). Founded in 1918, PTK is the official honor society for two-year colleges, as acknowledged by the American Association of Community Colleges. BMCC students are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa via the mail; and must meet certain requirements to enroll in the organization and remain active members until they transfer to another school, or enter the job market.
Students invited to join PTK must have completed 12 credits at BMCC, including all remedial courses, and maintain a (minimum) 3.5 GPA. BMCC’s PTK advisors are professors Dr. Carlos Hernandez, Dr. Acte Maldonado and Dr. Zhanna Yablokova.
The advisors and current chapter officers held a PTK orientation program days ago at Theatre II, where invited students had a chance to learn more about PTK and decide whether or not they’d like to register for membership.
BMCC’s chapter of PTK is called the “Alpha Kappa” Chapter.
PTK members are part of an ‘elite’ group
Dr. Hernandez gave the opening remarks at the orientation program. “PTK is recognizes all the work you’ve done,” he told the students. “It’s hard to live a life while maintaining a certain GPA. You’re the best of the best, and only six percent of BMCC students are nominated for PTK.”
Hernandez went on to say that as more and more students enroll at BMCC, fewer will be invited to join PTK over the years, as academic competition increases. “You received the PTK invite because you’re a great student,” he said. “We’ve got a very elite group here.”
Erwin Wong, dean for academic programs and instruction, told the audience of eager students they are being applauded, “for doing terrific things.”“We’re asking you to be a leader and serve the students around you,” said Wong, then quoting the following from the film Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Marva Craig, dean of student affairs at BMCC, said, as a PTK member, “we want you to make a difference; to volunteer; to help other students. How much do you give back?”
PTK does ‘good’ and awards scholarships
According to Hernandez, PTK is an organization about doing “good,” not just having a high GPA. “Our mission is to help the world, with good, smart people who share the same mission.”
Hernandez also stressed that having PTK on a resume or college application truly makes a BMCC student or alumnae stand out. It’s also a helpful way to network with other people, all over the world.
“PTK is not a fraternity or sorority,” he said. “It’s an organization that recognizes academic excellence.”Members of PTK come from more than 1,200 community colleges in the United States, Canada and around the world.
According to Hernandez, PTK gives approximately 36 million dollars in scholarships every year, and that number is growing, making it the largest scholarship-giving organization in the world.“No one comes close to giving the scholarships PTK gives,” said Hernandez. Columbia, Cornell and New York University are just some of the schools that offer PTK students academic scholarships.
The current PTK president at BMCC, Shuo Wang, spoke about how he was contacted by 4-year colleges offering him scholarships just two weeks after he joined the organization.
Most importantly, PTK students gain real-world experience, because as a member, they’re given a budget, are in charge of projects, connect to people in other cities and help raise money for a plethora of good causes.
Four-year colleges seek out PTK members
After watching a promotional video about the benefits of PTK, students in attendance at the orientation were told they can sign-up online to join the organization.
Although there is a membership fee, it’s pretty evident the rewards of joining are never-ending, and worth it.“Just by being a member of PTK, you have more opportunities,” said Hernandez. “Some college applications ask if you’re a member, and you get to check that box. When you do, admissions offices make positive assumptions about what type of student you are.”
PTK students also: engage in community service; have access to career databases; receive special awards, sashes and pins; get discounts on study aids and performance materials; have written letters of recommendation sent to college admissions counselors, and more. Alumni also stay connected by attending PTK social events and helping other members socially and professionally, which the video highlighted.
Of course, sitting on the stage at BMCC’s graduation ceremony proudly wearing a gold PTK sash and pin is also a nice perk. “Be selfish…join,” said Hernandez. “If you’ve been invited, you belong.”
