MCCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Breaks Ground with First Virtual Induction Ceremony
4/27/20
West Windsor, N.J. - Each year in April, Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Alpha Theta Gamma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society hosts an induction ceremony. Usually, PTK packs the auditorium at the Conference Center with high-achieving students and loving friends and family to celebrate the addition of its newly inducted members.
This year, with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing and in compliance with social distancing mandates across the globe, Mercer’s PTK chapter hosted a virtual induction ceremony. A first for the organization, the event progressed smoothly as its members were officially inducted into the society.
“This online space is new and unfamiliar territory for so many, and we were initially unsure of how to get started,” said Gina Migliaccio, advisor for MCCC’s PTK chapter. “But with the help of my co-advisors, Dr. Bettina Caluori and Dr. Jingrong Huang, and our chapter's leaders, we all took the reins and pulled through the planning process!”
Migliaccio added that the biggest challenge was recreating the warmth and positivity of an in-person ceremony.
“We also weren't sure exactly how many people would show up,” Migliaccio admitted. “During a planning meeting I remember telling the officers, ‘It doesn't matter whether two or 20 people show up. We will make them feel at-home.’"
Incredibly, the induction ceremony saw more than 60 people join, a mark Migliaccio calls a roaring success.
Even though the event went virtual, it followed a program similar to years past. MCCC President Dr. Jianping Wang joined to give the welcome address, and Krista James, Vice President of Scholarship, read the chapter’s traditional poem, “Our Deepest Fear.”
“This is a time that your leadership, your service, and fellowship are so much more important than ever,” Wang said in her opening remarks. “Your work is inspiring so many more people – your neighbors, your classmates and your community members.”
In his address, outgoing PTK president Raymond Kleinschmidt congratulated his PTK colleagues, and noted that the organization set a college record with a 21 percent induction rate.
“Too rarely these achievements aren’t given their proper salute. Under these three Greek letters we are united by our common goal – the pursuit of excellence,” Kleinschmidt said.
Ms. Briana Barone, the Middle States Regional Representative for Phi Theta Kappa, also addressed viewers, discussing the influence PTK had on her education and career.
“I was a first-generation college student and I often felt I was going it alone,” Barone said. “I entered college scared confused and overwhelmed.”
“PTK not only validated my academic efforts so far, but also gave me a support system comprised of people I call my lifelong friends.”
Among other fanfare was the installation of new officers. This year, four new officers were appointed: Patricia Vieira, President; Nardelly Ferreira, Vice President of Administrative Services; Lindsay Prokopchuk, Vice President of Finance; and Gervin Ty, Vice President of Leadership.
Mercer’s branch of Alpha Theta Gamma was designated a Five-Star chapter in March 2020. It’s an active part of MCCC’s community, regularly completing service projects to advance the college’s mission, particularly as it pertains to affordable education.
To learn more about PTK follow Mercer’s chapter on Facebook, Instagram or visit the international PTK website here.
Are you ready to help us keep our students on track to finish classes and graduate? Then share and support our MCCC Student Emergency Fund. Donating at www.mccc.edu/mercermatters, or by texting MercerMatters to 41444, will help keep students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every dollar matters!
Members of Mercer's PTK chapter prep for the 2020 virutal induction ceremony on a zoom call.
Outgoing PTK President Raymond Kleinschmidt delivered the ceremony's opening remarks.
MCCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Breaks Ground with First Virtual Induction Ceremony
4/27/20
West Windsor, N.J. - Each year in April, Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Alpha Theta Gamma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society hosts an induction ceremony. Usually, PTK packs the auditorium at the Conference Center with high-achieving students and loving friends and family to celebrate the addition of its newly inducted members.
This year, with the coronavirus pandemic in full swing and in compliance with social distancing mandates across the globe, Mercer’s PTK chapter hosted a virtual induction ceremony. A first for the organization, the event progressed smoothly as its members were officially inducted into the society.
“This online space is new and unfamiliar territory for so many, and we were initially unsure of how to get started,” said Gina Migliaccio, advisor for MCCC’s PTK chapter. “But with the help of my co-advisors, Dr. Bettina Caluori and Dr. Jingrong Huang, and our chapter's leaders, we all took the reins and pulled through the planning process!”
Migliaccio added that the biggest challenge was recreating the warmth and positivity of an in-person ceremony.
“We also weren't sure exactly how many people would show up,” Migliaccio admitted. “During a planning meeting I remember telling the officers, ‘It doesn't matter whether two or 20 people show up. We will make them feel at-home.’"
Incredibly, the induction ceremony saw more than 60 people join, a mark Migliaccio calls a roaring success.
Even though the event went virtual, it followed a program similar to years past. MCCC President Dr. Jianping Wang joined to give the welcome address, and Krista James, Vice President of Scholarship, read the chapter’s traditional poem, “Our Deepest Fear.”
“This is a time that your leadership, your service, and fellowship are so much more important than ever,” Wang said in her opening remarks. “Your work is inspiring so many more people – your neighbors, your classmates and your community members.”
In his address, outgoing PTK president Raymond Kleinschmidt congratulated his PTK colleagues, and noted that the organization set a college record with a 21 percent induction rate.
“Too rarely these achievements aren’t given their proper salute. Under these three Greek letters we are united by our common goal – the pursuit of excellence,” Kleinschmidt said.
Ms. Briana Barone, the Middle States Regional Representative for Phi Theta Kappa, also addressed viewers, discussing the influence PTK had on her education and career.
“I was a first-generation college student and I often felt I was going it alone,” Barone said. “I entered college scared confused and overwhelmed.”
“PTK not only validated my academic efforts so far, but also gave me a support system comprised of people I call my lifelong friends.”
Among other fanfare was the installation of new officers. This year, four new officers were appointed: Patricia Vieira, President; Nardelly Ferreira, Vice President of Administrative Services; Lindsay Prokopchuk, Vice President of Finance; and Gervin Ty, Vice President of Leadership.
Mercer’s branch of Alpha Theta Gamma was designated a Five-Star chapter in March 2020. It’s an active part of MCCC’s community, regularly completing service projects to advance the college’s mission, particularly as it pertains to affordable education.
To learn more about PTK follow Mercer’s chapter on Facebook, Instagram or visit the international PTK website here.
Are you ready to help us keep our students on track to finish classes and graduate? Then share and support our MCCC Student Emergency Fund. Donating at www.mccc.edu/mercermatters, or by texting MercerMatters to 41444, will help keep students enrolled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every dollar matters!
Members of Mercer's PTK chapter prep for the 2020 virutal induction ceremony on a zoom call.
Outgoing PTK President Raymond Kleinschmidt delivered the ceremony's opening remarks.