Wayne Community College’s Upsilon Chi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society held an induction ceremony to welcome 77 new members.
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.
During the induction ceremony, WCC President Patty Pfeiffer expressed pride in the inductees’ hard work and dedication. “As you enter this prestigious society, you will find an environment that thrives on the pursuit of knowledge and service,” she told the students. “It is a place where you must invest your own talents and efforts so that the organization may hold a deep meaning for you.”
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
Blythewood, SC
Meggan Keith, Business Administration
Dudley
Stephanie Alvarez, Associate in Arts
Maritza Marely Camacho Chiquito, Associate in Arts
Wiliminia Yvonne Campbell-Beard, Medical Office Administration
Charles Faison, Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Yoly Perez-Hernandez, Associate in Arts
Selena Noreli Romero Garcia, Associate in Science
Andrea Suarez-Morales, Associate in Arts
Karen Velasquez Gonzalez, Criminal Justice Technology/Forensic Science
Faison
Rebecca Ashmore, Forestry Management Technology
Fremont
Abdulla Fadah, Associate in Arts
Stephanie Forsythe, Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer Track
Sylvia Rose Jernigan, Associate in Arts
Goldsboro
Kendall Brock, College Transfer Pathway
Lainey Brock, College Transfer Pathway
Logan Brock, Associate in Arts
Caroline Bryan, Dental Assisting Diploma
Ana Celeste Castaneda, Medical Office Administration
Katherine Ciborowski, Associate in Arts
Rylee Fields, Associate in Arts
Destiny Grimmett, Associate in Arts
Lezlee Harris, Associate in Science
Kendall Henson, Associate in Science
Steven Jackson, Entertainment Technologies
Soria James, Funeral Service Education
Anthony Jardine, Entertainment Technologies
Tyler Jones, Associate in Arts
Jose Lambert, Business Administration/Operations Management
Leah Lawhorne, Associate in Science
Hannah Lee, Business Administration
Tiffany Lytle, Medical Office Administration
Christie Eileen Mayo, Business Administration
Brandee McMillian, Medical Assisting
Jacob Matthew Meitler, Associate in Science
Samantha Monson, Human Services Technology
Hellen Mullins, Medical Assisting
Gabrielle Palmer, Medical Office Administration
Daniel Peedin, Associate in Science
LaToya Perry, Associate in Science
Stuart Rose, Associate in Arts
Hannah Rouse, Associate in Science
Hagar Saleh, Associate in Arts
Katherine Lee Stugelmeyer, Associate in Arts
Mary Truhan, Associate in Arts
Johnathan Velasquez-Trejo, Associate in Arts
Xinling Wang, Associate in Arts
Miriam Ward, Associate in Arts
Kenly
Matthew Avery, Entertainment Technologies
Austin M. Rice, Industrial Systems Technology
Kinston
Natalie Holley, Associate in Arts
La Grange
Macy Bradford, Accounting and Finance
Mount Olive
Charley Hollowell, Associate in Arts
Martha Lily Lopez, Business Administration
Leslie Orozco-Lemus, Associate in Science
Yariceli Tamayo-Hernandez, Associate in Science
Hayden Wall, Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Mary Kathryn Wells, Associate Degree Nursing
Pikeville
Piper Blizzard, Associate in Arts
Rosaria Cruz-Osorio, Associate in Science
Caitlyn Godshall, Human Services Technology
Madelyn Luethje, Business Administration
William Miramon-Antonio, Associate in Arts
Michael Pate, Associate in Science
Hayden Robertson, Associate in Science
Sara Kay Lynn Roush, Associate in Science
Julianna Wendt, Associate in Arts
Princeton
Gabriela Rivera, Associate in Arts
Kayla Weaver, Associate in General Education – Nursing
Selma
Kenneth Valles, Associate in Science
Seven Springs
Nhayiris Gadea, Criminal Justice Technology
Harley Hamrick, Medical Office Administration
Guadalupe Hernandez-Lara, Associate in Arts
Ingrid Ramirez-Miguel, Associate in Arts
Landon Stevens, College Transfer Pathway
Snow Hill
Danielle Harrison, Accounting and Finance
Stantonsburg
Brandi Melvin, Associate in Arts
Walstonburg
Shanequa Edwards, Medical Office Administration
The ceremony’s guest speaker was Pastor DJ Coles, founder and CEO of 4 Day Movement, Inc. and WCC alumnus. He spoke to the inductees about critical areas in their lives that they need to develop to impact and change the world for the better.
In his remarks, Coles encouraged students to build strong relationships, make quality connections, and prioritize communication. He also spoke on the importance of community involvement. “Consider volunteering to connect with others, and contribute to our community while you are here,” he said. “I would challenge you to get involved in the community and see where you can help because there’s plenty of help needed all around you.”
Coles stressed the importance of being financially responsible and forming healthy habits in order to maintain well-being and care for others.
He also spoke about focusing on career development during the students’ journey, sharing how vital it is for them to work to the best of their ability in whatever field they choose. “Explore different paths as you continue to grow. It’s a whole lot easier to serve somewhere where you love what you do,” Coles said.
Phi Theta Kappa provides inductees with lifelong membership and benefits such as scholarship opportunities, professional development courses, and discounts with partnering companies.
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 4.3 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 230,000 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.