Close to 200 Students Become Members of Phi Theta Kappa at 39th Induction Ceremony

A new class of QCC students joined the ranks of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Alpha Zeta Theta (AZT) Chapter at the 39th PTK Honor Society Induction Ceremony, held on April 16. Dean of Students Theresa "Terry" Vecchio opened the ceremony by reminding people of the four tenants of PTK – scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship and how special it is to be part of the PTK community.

“Thirty-nine years ago we inducted 11 students and today we are inducting 190. Overall we have 698 students involved in this organization,” she said. “These are the movers and shakers of QCC and undoubtedly the leaders of tomorrow.”

QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja congratulated the students, acknowledging that he himself was just shy of being inducted into an honor society.

“I didn’t make it but I’m still here as president, imagine what you can do,” he said.

This year’s outgoing PTK members have made incredible strides within QCC and the surrounding communities to help better the world. They have worked on a mentoring program with students from Burncoat, helping them to prepare for like after high school; have served meals at the VA; worked in Worcester’s community garden as well as grown QCC’s own greenhouse and helped to stave off elderly loneliness by hosting many events including a senior prom at the Oasis at Dodge Park.

During the induction outgoing PTK President Dan Underwood, Outgoing PTK Live and Learn Greenhouse Manager (and the 2019 current 29 Who Shine honoree) Vanessa Hanger and Outgoing PTK Executive Director of Mentoring (and current Food Pantry & Resource Center manager) Max German all gave speeches about their time as members of PTK, before handing over the reins to the new officers.

The Alpha Zeta Theta officers for 2019-2020 include:

• Tabitha Leber – President
• Krystle Bedrick – Vice President of Leadership
• Lisa Renaud – Executive Team Leader
• Ronald Nneji – Executive Vice President of Scholarship
• Roanlis Toribio – Vice President of Scholarship
• Murillo Gomes – Treasurer
• Melissa Intravia – Secretary
• Aglae Bornhausen – PTK Live & Learn Greenhouse Manager

During the induction ceremony, Ms. Vecchio made it a point to mention PTK Advisor Bonnie Coleman, the “heart and soul of PTK,” informing those in attendance she has worked tirelessly for the PTK students for the past 14 years.

“Truly her name is truly synonymous with Phi Theta Kappa,” Ms. Vecchio added.

An addition to this year’s program was the swearing in of the first PTK Alumni Association Board. In November, 2018 PTK founded the PTK AZT Alumni Association and its executive board was officially recognized. They include:

• Allen Phillips – President
• Kimberly May –  Vice President
• Tony Sanders – Treasurer
• Laura Loranger – Secretary
• Sean Lauziere – Officer-At-Large
• Kayla Paterson - Advisor