Thirty-eight Montgomery County Community College students recently joined the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for two-year colleges during a special ceremony held at the Pottstown Campus. 

To be eligible for this elite honor, students must earn a minimum of 12 credits, maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and be of good moral character. PTK members exemplify the core values of scholarship, leadership, fellowship and service.

During the ceremony, nationally recognized motivational speaker Frederick Shegog  shared words of encouragement with the new inductees and audience members gathered in the College’s community room on the second floor of North Hall. 

“As a PTK member, it doesn’t stop here. The next step is to ask yourselves, ‘How can you serve, what part of campus can you become involved in,’” he said. “Can you serve as an officer, or can you help in the local community – what can you do now that you have been blessed with this gift as a PTK member? It is a gift because it allows you to rise to a higher echelon to serve others and to show others how we should handle ourselves.” 

As a proud member of PTK, Shegog personally has experienced the benefits of the PTK honor society. He received scholarships through the organization that enabled him financially to complete his education and graduate from Delaware County Community College in 2020. He continued his educational path at West Chester University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies, and most recently, his master’s degree in Public Administration.

Education, Shegog passionately believes, transformed his life from one of substance use disorder, homelessness and dumpster-diving for food, to starting his own motivational-speaking company, The Message LLC, and traveling across the country inspiring others. As someone who has risen from the trenches of poverty and despair, he has the experience and ability to connect and engage with many students who are striving to improve their lives.

Following the PTK ceremony, Shegog chatted with the new members, talking about the numerous benefits and opportunities available to them.

By joining the PTK honor society, students become a part of a network of more than 3.5 million members from around the globe. Alongside receiving a golden key membership pin and certificate, members can wear PTK regalia at commencement. Beyond recognition and networking, members gain access to scholarships, career training, leadership development, discounts and seamless transfer opportunities to four-year institutions.  

The Beta Tau Lambda inductees include Sara Andrasek, Cassie Baker, James Berg, Riley Berkoski, Maeve Brennan, Alanna Campbell, Margaret Decker, Matthew Deschamp, Aditiya Dhar, Madelyn Falco, Devin Franchino, Andrew Gallo, Keishla Gonzalez-Galarza, Cameron Gross, Merle Herring, Mae Irwin, Stephanie Lutz, Ana Miller, Sandra Miller, Joshua Monastero, Brianna Monger, Madelyn Olejniczak, Allison Ormston, Matthew Pashko, Uriel Perez, M’Lynn Poulson, Hugo Ragel, Jesse Redmond, Hailee Shollenberger, Gweneth Spangler, Jadon Sweigart, Niklas Taeger, Brianna Tamay, Amanda Thompson, Jennifer Todd, Sandy Tsang, Leigha Walton and Samantha Wisneski.

The chapter officers include President Georgia Horosky, Vice President Cameron Gross and Secretary Diane Clearfield. This year, the members volunteered monthly at Mission First in Pottstown, serving meals to the food insecure. They also volunteered with Lasagna Love, making lasagnas for those in need. Furthermore, they made handmade cards for senior citizens in Montgomery County to brighten their days.

MCCC has two PTK chapters – Beta Tau Lambda at the Pottstown Campus and Alpha Kappa Zeta at the Blue Bell Campus. Both chapters have attained five-star status, the highest rank a chapter can earn.  Meredith Frank, Communications Studies Assistant Professor, and Douglas Powell, History Assistant Professor, are the advisers for Beta Tau Lambda, and  Dr. Catherine Parzynski, History Assistant Professor, and Dr. Cathy Hoult Shewring, History Professor, are the advisers for Alpha Kappa Zeta.