April 24, 2018
Perla Villegas, student at Mesalands Community College, lights her candle during last week’s Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony.
Last week, Mesalands Community College held a spring formal induction ceremony for students in the Beta Eta Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa is based on academic achievement and offers personal development through scholarship, service, fellowship, and leadership.
Each candidate for membership in PTK, must have completed 12 credit hours that may lead to a declared associate’s degree, with a grade point average (GPA) of a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, currently enrolled in six credit hours, and adhere to the school code. A cumulative GPA of 3.25 must be maintained to remain in good standing.
Joyce Runyan, a 2005 Summa Cum Laude graduate from Mesalands Community College, was the guest speaker at the induction ceremony. Runyan served as the State President of PTK and the PTK Chapter President at Mesalands. She was also elected to the 2004 New Mexico All-State Academic Team. Runyan went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Regent University.
During her speech, Runyan encouraged the PTK inductees to focus on the four hallmarks of PTK: scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.
“I want to challenge you to really think about what you believe in and how that affects your actions,” Runyan said. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Speak up when you don’t understand a topic. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and get involved with other people.”
Mesalands Community College’s spring 2018 inductees in Phi Theta Kappa:
| Kyeli | Collins* |
| Anthony | D’Agostino |
| Daniel | Holguin* |
| Crystal | Perrine |
| Magnolia | Riley |
| Brandon | Smith |
| Perla | Villegas |
* Tucumcari High School Dual Enrollment Student
Phi Theta Kappa Advisors (left) Dr. Forrest Kaatz, Director of Institutional Research and (far right) Dr. Philip Kaatz, Math and Physical Science Faculty at Mesalands Community College, with the PTK inductees: (l to r) Magnolia Riley, Brandon Smith, Perla Villegas, Daniel Holguin, Anthony D’Agostino, Kyeli Collins, and Crystal Perrine (not in photo).
