SANFORD - Academic achievement and service were celebrated March 10 as Central Carolina Community College's Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society held its spring induction ceremony.

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than two million members and 1,200 chapters. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized PTK as the official honor society for two-year colleges. The CCCC chapter sets a higher standard for membership eligibility than the national organization: a 3.7 grade point average rather than the 3.5 GPA that national requires.

CCCC Human Resource Management Instructor Shirley Rijkse was the speaker for the event held at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. She was an inaugural member of the CCCC PTK in 2010 and recalled that first PTK induction ceremony. "I was filled with fear of making a mistake, excitement for the recognition of my hard work, and contentment to share the experience with my peers, family, and friends," she said.

"When you couple your academic growth in our community college with the chance to apply your knowledge to the organization and community service project, this gives each member the added value of making a lasting impact and contribute to the betterment of society," said Ms. Rijkse.

"Continue to support the college and its organizations. You will meet many people on the path to your goal and all add something to your journey," said Ms. Rijkse. "Remember to trust yourself to make the right choices. Don't let insecurities or other's expectations take you from your goal. Many people along my path have opened doors or given great insight to help me on my path."

Dr. Rodney Powell, Chapter Advisor, welcomed those in attendance and introduced Dr. Brian Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Student Learning, and Julian Philpott, CCCC Board of Trustees Chairman, who each had opening remarks.

Phi Theta Kappa is composed of Greek words symbolizing wisdom, aspiration and purity. A white rose on the table symbolizes purity, beauty of life, and intellectual associations, while the oak and laurel leaves on the PTK emblem represent stability, character, achievement, and success.

Each of the inductees recited the Oath of Membership to uphold the standards of Phi Theta Kappa and signed their name in the membership book.

CCCC had its own honor society, Alpha Theta Tau, from 1986 until the chartering of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter in 2010. The idea for joining PTK was brought to the college when Dr. T. Eston Marchant became president in 2008.

Dr. Rodney Powell, Chapter Advisor and CCCC Chemistry Instructor; Sarah Shannon-Mohammed, Chapter President; and Justin Leville, Chapter President, conducted the induction ceremony.

In its few years of existence, the college's Phi Beta Sigma Chapter has garnered a number of prestigious recognitions from PTK. These include the Five-Star ranking -- the highest ranking a chapter can receive for excellence, and awards at regional PTK conferences. It has also reached out to the community with service projects, such as assisting food banks and shelters.

The 2016 spring inductees are:

Angier: Jamily Young

Apex: Kristen Goodwin, Jennifer Tilman

Bear Creek: Cynthia Mason, Jasmine Williams

Broadway: Jenna Johnston, Stephan Kelly, Mareise Weldon

Bunnlevel: Damya Campbell

Cameron: Melissa Buchanan, Kamesha Chalmers, Crystal Henriquez, Tyshonne McSwain, Thomas Parks

Carrboro: Christopher Hilburn-Trenkle

Chapel Hill: James Brodie

Charlotte: John Chapman

Fayetteville: Kiolika Coren, Janeth Graham, Takara Oldorff

Fuquay-Varina: Jacqueline Joyner, Latoya Roberson, Jordan Smith, Rhonda Thompson

Goldston: Rasheed Jones, Seth Shepard, Lauren Vann

Holly Springs: Tamatha Johnson, Allisha Markham

Lillington: Mohamed Algazali, Christopher Busch, Aaron Edmonds, Jennifer Womble

Linden: Shelby Carr, Holly Hair

Mocksville: Charlotte Knettel

Moncure: Kathleen Landman

Mount Gilead: Tabitha Brown

New Hill: Karley Mitchell

Pittsboro: Liann Dubon, Sarah Kraska, Dustin Krombach, Teagan Williams

Raleigh: Morgan Beasley, Mallory Horvath

Robbins: Ruvi Rodriguez Suarez

Sanford: Adrian Alcantara, Adam Alston, Leilani Barton, Sarah Bastress, Sarah Bogan, Leslie Bridges, Valerie Rizalyn Bunao, Kimberly Clark, Sabine Collins, Rikki Conklin, Jennifer Cooper, Lydia Cooper, Esmeralda Guzman, Matthew Hamilton, Penny Harris, Faith Holmes, Dylan Jarmon, Yolanda Leach, Nika Lee, Joellen Lind, Noel Martinez, Casandra McCormick, Catherine McDaniel, Kristen Miller, Amy Naranjo-Lee, Eswin Paredes, Madison Perry, Briana Peterman, Cara Poth, Joseph Repper, Taylor Ridall, Janely Rivera, Rogelio Salvador, Jessica Sheppard, Ginevra Walker, Autumn Williams, Payton Winchell, Della Wise

Siler City: Allison Armstrong, Justin Phillips

Spring Lake: Yesenia Castillo, Haley Meyers, Erik Switzer

Vass: Katie Field

West End: Katie Byrd, Brandi Snow

Chapter officers are: President Sarah Shannon-Mohammed, Vice President Lorena Martinez, Public Relations Secretary Megan Blair, Recording Secretary Lacey Kuenzler, and Treasurer Justin Leville.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa at CCCC, visit the college's Web site, www.cccc.edu, click on "Site A-Z," then "P" for "Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society."