Amanda Smith
Lantern Staff
Members of Butler’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) gathered in Manhattan on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2 through Nov. 4 for their second conference of the year. Butler is a part of the Kansas-Nebraska region and is advised by Service Desk Analyst Chrissy Baker and Professor of English Jim Buchhorn. Sophomores Mariah Baker and Emily Crow serve as the chapter’s vice presidents. What started as an organization in Missouri consisting of women’s colleges, Phi Theta Kappa has turned into a International Honor Society that has just celebrated its 100th anniversary. At conferences, members have the opportunity to listen to speakers about different topics and meet the other chapters of PTK and speak with them. At the Manhattan conference, the focus was “Honors in Action.” There are approximately 25 active members from Butler who are members of the organization.
“I went to one meeting and automatically knew that it is what I wanted to do,” Crow said. “The other officer, Mariah Baker, encouraged me to give it a try. I wrote a paper, had an interview and gave a speech. I was an officer before I even was inducted. It happened fast, but I’m so glad I took the step up and joined.”
As officers, their responsibilities include organizing meetings, planning projects and events and communicating with other members. They also plan and research the Honors in Action and College projects.
Baker also encouraged sophomore international student Abdoul Diallo from West Guinea of Africa to join Phi Theta Kappa. Diallo joined the organization last November and the Manhattan conference was his first event. He said that he enjoys surrounding himself with positive people and likes the recognition that he gets.
“The last conference was my first one, and I loved it,” Diallo said. “I like the environment where you can see high-achievers who are willing to be successful.”
The club officers meet every Thursday to discuss upcoming events and reflect on previous ones. They also hold meetings with all members at least once a month, alternating between the El Dorado and the Andover campuses. PTK has two remaining conferences, regional and international conferences.
“It is a perfect mixture of fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service,” Crow said. “I would encourage anyone who wants to see themselves grow and make an impact on the world to join. You may come for the scholarship but you stay for the fellowship.”
In order to join Phi Theta Kappa, students must be attending Butler with 12 completed credit hours at a 100 level or higher and also have at least a 3.5 GPA. For further information about the organization, visit ptk.org.