Lamar Community College’s Beta Eta Gamma chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society welcomed 26 new members to the ranks during the spring induction ceremony on March 21, 2017.
The new inductees included Cristian Alvarez (Walsh), Halbert Alvarez (Walsh), Andrew Astalos (Lakeport, Michigan), Michael Benz (Pueblo), Sam Boone (Centennial), Faith Camp (Lamar), Bailey Cook (Walsh), Mia Cory (Penrose), Sam Cox (McClave), Josh Crites (Erie), Casey Day (Leoti, Kansas), Austen Emick (Lamar), Lindsy Frans (Lamar), Adam Hopper (Granada), Kathleen Johnson (Kit Carson), Paige Kelley (Springfield), Tarin Kemp (Granada), Arnoldo Maltos-Garcia (Brush), Ashtyn McDonald (Walsh), Levi Morris (Springfield), Natalie Plothow (Conifer), Cole Smith (Wiley), James Steerman (McClave), Travis Struble (Divide), Jennifer Trujillo (Pueblo) and Sarah Walsh (Arvada).
After LCC President Linda Lujan welcomed new members and congratulated them on their accomplishment, guest speaker Rick Robbins addressed the inductees.
Robbins is the General Manager and CEO of Colorado Mills, LLC, a highly successful business in Lamar with more than $20,000,000 in annual sales and 43 full time employees. Colorado Mills is an oilseed processing facility with capabilities of value adding oilseed meal into livestock feeds as well as refining the oilseed oil into food grade cooking oil. In addition to his professional leadership, Robbins is also heavily involved in local boards, serving as President of Prowers Economic Prosperity, and service organizations such as Lamar Rotary; he is a powerful example of generosity, civic participation and excellence in our community.
In his address, Robbins engaged the audience with lively examples of his own educational and professional experiences including the rewards of finding happiness in work. He encouraged the new members of Phi Theta Kappa to make the decision to try new things in their own lives and take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way throughout their lives.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international scholastic honor society with a two-fold mission: to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Founded in 1910, it is the oldest and largest academic honor society of its kind.
The Beta Eta Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa promotes and honors academic excellence at LCC and is active on campus.
To be eligible to become a member, students must have a 3.5 grade-point average after completing 12 or more credit hours of college-level work, be currently enrolled, and pursuing an AA, AS, AGS or AAS degree. Phi Theta Kappa members are eligible to apply for millions of dollars in scholarships each year, as well as gain leadership skills and network with other high achieving college students. Induction of new members occurs every fall and spring semester.
LCC’s Phi Theta Kappa officers are Marissa Castanos, President; Jack Stamper, Vice President; Edina Krusko, Secretary; and Miranda Morgan, Public Relations Secretary.
For more information on Phi Theta Kappa at LCC, contact David Frankel at 336.1547 or Kelly Emick at 336.1532.
Photo: (Seated) Casey Day, Bailey Cook, Faith Camp, Tarin Kemp, Sarah Walsh, Arnoldo Maltos-Garcia; (Standing) Adam Hopper, Sam Cox, Josh Crites, Michael Benz, Travis Struble, Sam Boone, Andrew Astalos, Cristian Alvarez, Halbert Alvarez, Levi Morris.
Not Pictured: Mia Cory, Austen Emick, Lindsy Frans, Kathleen Johnson, Paige Kelley, Ashtyn McDonald, Natalie Plothow, Cole Smith, James Steerman and Jeniffer Trujillo