Illinois Valley Community College recently inducted 40 students into its Rho Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Students must achieve a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale to qualify for membership.

The induction was held in a formal evening ceremony that included IVCC assistant director of admissions and records Aseret Loveland as guest speaker and was followed by a reception with refreshments provided by IVSustainabilty, the student group dedicated to the pursuit of a sustainable college and sustainable communities in the Illinois Valley.

Officers are president Brandon Miller of Ottawa, vice presidents Austin Burnette of Mendota (Scholarship), Matthew Phillips of Wenona (Service), Trevor Finnan of Utica (Leadership), Ericka Sanchez of Princeton (Membership), Nicole Stevenson of Ottawa (Membership), Monica Leonard of Mendota (Communications), Travis Sauers of Streator (Fellowship), treasurer Adam Skoff of

Peru and secretary/historian Jessica Cantrell of Mendota.

Fall 2015 inductees include:
Arlington: Aelsa Butler;
Bureau: Katie Burkman;
Granville: Renee Abraham, Ann Miller;
Hennepin: Madalyn Loiselle, Kristen Pinn, Scott Urnikis;
La Salle: Laura Faletti, Samantha George, Erin Picton, Tabitha Smiley;
Marseilles: Shannon McGrath;
Mendota: Allison Hawbaker, Tara Schneider, Taylor Schneider;
Oglesby: Kaitlyn Anthony, Alexandra Mentgen;
Ottawa: Jessica Bursztynsky, Elaine Lethiot-Cabrera, Sarah McKeen, Allison Nona, Trupti Patel, Allison Slagle, Renee Thompson, Morgan Tobias;
Peru: Angelica Fanti, Chabela Fuentes, Justin Meyer, Arinze Ochuba, Timothy Perry, Erin Wolz;
Princeton: Caitlan Fink, Jaxon Harris, Devin Truedson;
Spring Valley: Valarie Gengler;
Streator: Ryan Emm, Alexis Miller, Emily Murray;
Tonica: Cory Lauer;
Wenona: Nicole Krischel.

PTK faculty advisors are biology instructors Eric Schroeder and Carmen Hartford.

Established by two-year college presidents in Missouri in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society has grown into the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members and 1,200 chapters located in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany.

PTK recognizes and encourages the academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming.
In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official recognized honor organization for two year colleges.