This past week, the Eta Nu chapter of the international honor society Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) attended Catalyst 2024, the annual conference of the society. The latter was held in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center from April 4-7.
Like in previous years, Eta Nu’s attendance at Catalyst 2024 was made possible because of financial support from Gibbs’ Student Government Association (SGA).
In Orlando, Eta Nu was represented by Dr. Gyldas Ofoulhast, SPG Gibbs Political Science Professor, and the following student-members: Jeremy Phipps (chapter president) Brie Raisor (vice-president of fellowship); Lauren Kacinko (vice-president of finance and communication), and Azalia Marquez (regular member). Besides Eta Nu, SPC was well represented at Catalyst 2024 as other PTK chapters from the college made the journey. Indeed, our group traveled with student members Louis Parton and Emily Allen (in the picture also) from the Tau Zeta Chapter in Clearwater. Their advisor Dr. Grace Moore unfortunately could not attend the conference.
Finally, a little bit before Catalyst 2024 went underway, Eta Nu was formally recognized as one of the nine Florida Region’s 2023-24 Distinguished Chapter.
A wide variety of educational forums coupled with empowering keynote speakers
Apart from immersing themselves into various educational forums, college transfer fairs, networking with other students, and overall personal and professional development, SPC students heard from two very powerful and inspiring keynote speakers: Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Philanthropist, Bestselling Author; and Evy Poumpouras, Former Secret Service Special Agent, Multimedia Journalist.
Misty Copeland talked about her life journey and challenges she overcame to become a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and the first black woman to be promoted to the position in the company’s 75-year history in 2015.
As a special agent with the Secret Service, Evy Poumpouras protected various Presidents and First Ladies, including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush. Thus, she discussed various life strategies for students to deal with and conquer adversity and transform themselves into stronger, more confident, and more powerful individuals.
Overall, students appreciated the opportunity given to hear from both speakers and to attend the conference. About her experience at Catalyst 2024, one student remarked that ‘all the sessions where very helpful and informative for me, especially because with a lot of PTK scholarships and SPC scholarships being offered and opening, I was able to learn techniques and skills to apply when working on my applications.’
Another event-filled year
For Eta Nu, attending Catalyst 2024 in Orlando was the culmination of its work for the 2023-24 academic year. Indeed, during this winding academic year, Eta Nu student-members engaged in various activities in their continued quest for academic excellence and community engagement.
First, the Eta Nu year began with attendance at the PTK Florida Region’s Honors Institute in Ocala in July 2023. There, student attendees were provided with valuable information on how to professionally write essays and improve their writing skills beyond their involvement in the society’s main research projects. Second, the chapter conducted its annual induction ceremony for new members on October 20, 2023. At the Gibbs Music Center, Associate Dean for Academic services Dr Stephen Andrasik delivered encouraging remarks to student members and their loved ones in attendance. Third, a week after induction, student members attended the Florida Region’s Leadership Conference in Lakeland (October 27-29). Comingling with other Florida chapters in Lakeland, student-members learned a bit more about leadership skills and how to create sustainable and long-lasting impacting projects for the community. Fourth, student-members developed bonds among themselves and the college community throughout the year with various fellowship events, such as SPC Halloween Spooktacular in the fall.
Also, as part of its usual chapter duties, Eta Nu completed its two most important projects the College Project (CP) and Honors in Action (HIA). While student members collaborated with the Gibbs administration in the college mission and goal to become an Aspen Institute of higher learning as part of its CP, the HIA research was centered on elevating the stories of SPC First-Generation students through a campus movie night of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
Lastly, with Catalyst 2024 behind, the work of Eta Nu for this academic year is over. In the coming days, Eta Nu will elect a new officer team. The future of Eta Nu remains bright.