Fairmont, WV – Ten new members were inducted into Pierpont Community and Technical College’s Alpha Tau Pi chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society during an induction ceremony on Thursday, April 18.

Phi Theta Kappa is present on almost 1,300 community college campuses worldwide and is focused on recognizing students’ academic achievement and providing opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders in their communities. Membership in the organization offers students scholarship opportunities, career training, transfer assistance to four-year programs, recognition among their campuses, and special discounts from large companies. Pierpont’s chapter has welcomed 32 new members to the organization in total this year.

The group in attendance participated in a ceremony and oath, officially marking their induction into the honor society. Pierpont President Dr. Milan Hayward and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Waide provided remarks to the students and their families.

“This recognition marks a significant milestone in the academic and professional journey of our students,” said Waide. “A moment that symbolizes not only their hard work and dedication, but their unwavering excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.”

Waide recognized the, at times, difficult journey that students face when pursuing their education and their dedication to that journey as leaders in their campus community.

“Your tireless pursuit of knowledge, the desire to expand your skills to impact the workforce that you are about to embark on, your selfless acts of service, and your exemplary acts of leadership, for all of us, serve as a beacon of hope for a society and a world that desperately needs your leadership.”

“Special place, special people, and a special evening,” added Hayward.

“I love induction ceremony night,” said Phi Theta Kappa Co-Advisor Jennifer Ellison. “Some of the students who were inducted are current or former students of mine, and if they were an online student, then I am meeting them for the first time in person. Several will become chapter officers, so I will work closely with them and form bonds that last long after they graduate from Pierpont.”

Each year, Pierpont’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa completes a service project benefiting the campus, as well as community service projects throughout the year. Previous campus projects have included packing and distributing food boxes for students, building a free “tiny” library at Pierpont’s Advanced Technology Center, and establishing a small food pantry for students in need. The group recently volunteered at the Scott’s Run Settlement House in Morgantown to bag potatoes and dog/cat food, break down boxes, and put away donations.

The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. Since its founding, more than 3.8 million students have been inducted, with approximately 250,000 active members in community colleges nationwide.