DACC’s Pi Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted 13 new members on Wednesday, March 1, during its Spring Induction Ceremony. Pi Omega Chapter members at DACC must be in the top seven percent of their class and must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher to qualify for membership. They must have accumulated 12 college credits before they are eligible for membership.

The Spring Pi Omega Induction team was comprised of Jayson Gross, Pi Omega co-President; Rebecca Rogers, Pi Omega co-President; Kalia Mason, Vice President Fellowship; Hoang Nguyen, Secretary and All USA Academic Team; Gage Hopkins; Nicholas Garmon; and Emma Myers.

The keynote speaker for the event was State Senator Paul Faracci. Senator Faracci addressed the value of community service and volunteerism, two key tenets of the PTK mission. 

Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College, has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918. Membership is based primarily upon academic achievement. The organization offers myriad opportunities for scholarships, intellectual enrichment, and personal development through programs based on the Society’s Hallmarks. Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Despite the Greek letters, PTK is not a social fraternity or sorority, though fellowship is encouraged. Pi Omega chapter at DACC focuses on community service and volunteerism. Members have assisted with tornado/storm clean up in neighboring communities, regularly pick up trash on their “adopted” portion of Main Street between Virginia and Brewer Road, have assisted with foodbank food distributions, have worked with Habitat for Humanity, have mentored at local k-12 schools and have raked leaves for senior citizens.

PTK members are given the opportunity to attend conferences and seminars on topics ranging from environmental issues to leadership. To offset the cost of travel and activities, Pi Omega members conduct several fundraising events throughout the year. Members also have access to scholarship opportunities for transfer students through both the International association and individual 4-year institutions.

Spring 2023 PTK Inductees:
*indicates dual credit student still in high school

1.       Makayla Blurton*
HS: Schlarman Academy
HT: Danville IL
Major: Nursing
Plans post DACC: Lakeview School of Nursing

2.       Michele Budnovich
HS: Danville High
HT: Danville IL
Major: Health Info tech.
Plans post DACC: Workforce

3.       Jason Cotten
HS: Westville High School
HT: Westville IL
Major: Language Arts
Plans post DACC: Eastern Illinois University

4.       Lindsey Janssen
HS: Milford High School
HT: Milford, IL
Major: Nursing
Plans post DACC: Transfer for a BN

5.       Sabrina Koenig
HS: Midwest Christian Academy and Bismarck High School
HT: Rossville, IL
Major: Sociology
Plans post DACC: Southern Illinois University

6.       Rozlynn Maring*
HS: Salt Fork High School
HT: Sidell, IL
Major: Environmental Studies
Plans to become a conservation officer or wildlife biologist

7.       Kylee McElroy*
HS: Salt Fork High School
HT: Fairmount, IL
Major: Undecided
Plans post DACC: Bachelor’s Degree

8.       Lillianna Perez*
HS: Schlarman Academy
HT: Danville, IL
Major: Education
Plans Post DACC: Eastern Illinois University

9.       Ashlynn Pinnick
HS: Oakwood High School
HT: Oakwood IL
Major: Pre-Med
Plans post DACC: University of Illinois

10.   Frederick Soderstrom*
HS: Schlarman Academy
HT: Danville, IL
Major: Business
Plans post DACC: Eastern Illinois University

11.   Natalie Vasquez*
HS: Schlarman Academy
HT: Danville, IL
Major: EL ED
Plans post DACC: Eastern Illinois University

12.   Charlene Walsh
HS: Danville High School-GED
HT: Danville IL
Major: Certified Medical Assistant
Plans: Workforce

13.   Donald Wills
HS: Danville High School
HT: Danville, IL
Major: Computer networking
Plans post DACC: Bachelor’s