PTK Adopt-A-Highway Event to Take Place on April 21

by Brooke Buchanan

Twenty-one new members were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa April 4. “Our chapter now has 60 regular members. We also have 13 members who are now considered ‘alumni members’ as they have already received their associates degree but are working toward their bachelor degree,” Marie Butler, Phi Theta Kappa — Sigma Omega Chapter Advisor said.

PTK is an International Honor Society for two-year college students; to join, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, have completed 12 or more credit hours at the 100 level, and have not yet earned an Associate degree or are working toward a second, declared Associate degree.

“The Sigma Omega chapter recognizes WVU Parkersburg students who have achieved high academic honors. Members are provided opportunities to develop in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship, the four hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa,” Butler said. “As a member of the Virginia/West Virginia Region, Sigma Omega is one of 47 chapters that collaborates on a regional level within Division 1. The chapter also interacts with fellow Phi Theta Kappans on an international level through its attendance to the society’s annual conference, Catalyst (formerly known as ‘Nerd Nation’).”

PTK will work with Adopt a Highway to help clean up trash around the campus on April 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. “The Sigma Omega chapter at WVU-P renews their two-year contract with the WV Department of Environmental Protection to ‘adopt’ the road ways surrounding the main WVU-P campus for their Adopt-A-Highway program.  Because of this, we participate in the WV bi-annual events (held each Fall and Spring on dates designated by the WV Department of Environmental Protection),” Butler said. “Because ‘service’ is one of the four hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa, the Adopt-A-Highway program serves as the means in which we fulfill the ‘service’ hallmark of PTK.”

Anyone wishing to participate in the Adopt-A-Highway will meet by the College Activities Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteers are asked to dressed appropriately based on the weather; volunteers will be equipped with gloves, safety vest, trash pickers and trash bags. “In the past, we have had family and friends of PTK members come out and help us pick up trash on our designated Adopt-A-Highway dates. This event is an excellent way for members to give back to their community by serving, so we open it to all who would like to participate,” Butler said.

Volunteers will be divided into small groups. “Each small group then decides which area they want to pick up trash. We will then walk to those areas, picking up the trash we find. We will gather back to the College Activities Center around 11 a.m. to drop off the filled trash bags and then go home.”