Wayne Community College’s Upsilon Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, inducted 36 members in its spring ceremony.
Phi Theta Kappa members represent the top 10 percent of students enrolled in two-year schools. To be invited into the society, WCC students must show academic achievement with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and have completed at least 16 hours of associate degree course work. They also must demonstrate good citizenship characteristics.
The inductees and their majors are:
Dudley
Edward Aguilar, Associate in Science; and
Michele Murray, Medical Office Administration
Fremont
Anna Barfield, Associate in Arts;
Ashley Darlington, Associate in Science;
Daniel Davis, Mechatronics Engineering; and
Heather Greening, Forest Management
Goldsboro
Azal Abduh, Associate in Arts;
Marqueshia Artis, Medical Office Administration;
Barbara Bard, Associate in Arts;
Jessica Brown, Associate in Arts;
John Crafter, Computer Information Technology;
Jessica Fulghum, Associate in Arts;
Fatima Gonzalez, Associate in Science;
Kelly Holmes, Medical Office Administration;
Ashley Johnson, Associate in Arts;
Patrick Lee, Associate in Science;
Ryan Maier, Simulation and Game Development;
Cindy Martinez, Criminal Justice Technology;
Harold Moore, Accounting;
Enijah Pace, Associate in Arts;
Nicholas Russo, Associate in Arts; and
Deanaletta Seif, Associate in Arts
Knightdale
Brandon Buchanan, Aviation Systems
La Grange
Layla Brinkley, Associate in Arts; and
Lauren Edwards, Special Credit
Leicester
Mikayla Peterson, Associate in Arts
Mount Olive
Karla Ambriz-Huerta, Associate in Arts;
Rachel Elam, Associate in Arts; and
Pamela Westbrook, Associate in Arts
Pikeville
Margarita Gutierrez Herrera, Associate in Arts;
Kensey Horne, Computer-Integrated Machining;
Tracy Jarman, Associate in Arts;
Liliana Martinez, Business Administration/Operations Management; and
Casey Pursifull, Associate in Science
Seven Springs
Michaela Russell, Computer-Integrated Machining
Willow Springs
John Cain, Aviation Systems
The speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Daniel Rollins, the college’s Language and Communications department chair. He told the inductees that “like the fields around Wayne County, your life is fertile ground.”
Basing his points on a story originating from the World War II Battle of the Bulge, Rollins gave the students guidance for making the most of their lives.
Number 1: “It is OK to retreat,” to stop sometimes, take stock, and look at your life.
Number 2: “Live a committed life.” He told them that living a committed life and making a difference takes time, so he advised them to “stick somewhere” and “take a stand.” “If you have the ability to love in a hate-filled world, you will make a difference,” Rollins said. “Let compassion drive the car of your life.”
Number 3: “Select the right people to fight beside.” Rollins told them that “no individual changes the world” but people working together can make a difference in it.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recognizes and encourages scholarship by providing opportunities for the development of leadership and service, an intellectual climate, lively fellowship for scholars, and stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. Members receive special recognition during their commencement ceremonies and are eligible for transfer scholarships.
Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education with nearly 1,300 chapters on college campuses nine nations. More than 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually.
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 12,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs.
Wayne Community College’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.