Wayne Community College’s Upsilon Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society inducted 43 new members in a special ceremony.
Students are invited to become members of the international honor society if they 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.
Phi Theta Kappa provides inductees with lifelong membership and benefits such as scholarship opportunities, professional development courses, and discounts with partnering companies.
Madelyn Luethje, WCC recruiting specialist and Upsilon Chi chapter advisor, welcomed the new inductees during the ceremony. “We are exceptionally proud of all of you for your dedication and hard work,” she said.
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 programs, listed by city of residence, are
Goldsboro
Youdelie Bastien, Associate in Arts
Abigayle Bradley, Business Administration
Maribella Campos Aguirre, Cybersecurity
Isabella Castillo, Associate in Arts
Ki’Mya Easley, Associate in Arts
Abigail Game, Office Administration
Michaela Gray, Office Administration
Miranda Jones, Associate in General Education – Nursing
Sierra Malpass, Accounting and Finance
Haley Ober-Ennis, Business Administration
Autumn Pearce, Associate in Arts
Kristina Pogue, Associate in Arts
Trevor Reynolds, Business Administration
Alejandro Rivera, Associate in Science
Lauren Rogers, Associate in Arts
Zuleyni Romero, Associate in Arts
Roston Stukes, Associate in Science
Gabriella Sutton, Associate in Science
William Tisdale, Sustainable Agriculture
Tayshana White, Business Administration
Conleigh Wilhide, Business Administration
Kinston
Paola Ortiz-Sanchez, Associate in Science
La Grange
Amanda Cheney, Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer Track
Sommer Howard, Associate in Science
Tristain Hoyt, Associate in Science
Middlesex
Claude Barkley, Cybersecurity
Mount Olive
Aliya Castillo-Hartsfield, Associate in Arts
Carmen Del Cid Garcia, Business Administration
Karen Flores-Gonzalez, Associate in Arts
Caroline Joyner, Associate in Science
Amy Lemus, Associate in Arts
Newton Grove
Anna McLamb-Gallegos, Business Administration
Pikeville
Olivia Adams, Associate in Arts
Rachel Bonafede, Business Administration
Cruz Castro Lopez, Associate in Science
Ryan Davis, Associate in Arts
Layla Hughes, Associate in Arts
Destiny McHale, Human Services Technology
Jacob Mooring, Computer-Integrated Machining
Anna Robertson, Business Administration
Seven Springs
Edgard Jimenez, Accounting and Finance
Stantonsburg
Sabrina Moore, Accounting and Finance
Wilmington
Keonte Sidbury, Aviation Systems Technology
During the ceremony, a check was presented to the North Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance (NCDSA). Upsilon Chi members held a fundraiser this semester to donate toward the NCDSA, which works to empower, connect, and support the lifespan of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Bryan King, NCDSA board member, accepted the donation on behalf of the organization.
WCC Board of Trustees member and criminal defense lawyer Geoff Hulse was the ceremony’s guest speaker. He spoke to the inductees about life choices and how they can make a difference in their community.
“Growing up, I’m sure your parents would say, ‘There are consequences for your actions.’ Most people think that’s a negative thing, but consequences can be good,” Hulse said. “If you do good things, if you do things the right way, you can have good consequences, and today’s a celebration of that.”
Hulse said his parents taught him that giving back was part of being a member of a community. “I got involved, not with the intent to be a community leader but to just help in a small way,” he shared.
Being involved with United Way of Wayne County, the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, the Goldsboro Rotary Club, the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, his church, and other organizations, Hulse said he finds joy in helping others in his hometown.
Hulse added that he was especially proud to see WCC’s Upsilon Chi members and inductees emerging as leaders. “Wayne Community College has made me prouder of my community than anything I’ve ever been involved in,” he said.
About Phi Theta Kappa
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 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
About Wayne Community College
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.