News Release

IWV Campus

Cerro Coso Holds Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony

May 7, 2009

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society held its induction ceremony for its newest members on April 17, 2009 at the Cerro Coso Community College's Learning Resource Center. Dr. Mary Retterer, President of Cerro Coso Community College, was the keynote speaker. Diana Reyes, Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President, officiated and was joined by several other Chapter Officers: Rachel Schlick, Service and Fellowship Officer; Laurie Rice, Treasurer; Terri Jo Kumar, Kern River Valley Representative; Michael Kendell, Leadership Officer; Christina Witt, Scholarship Officer; Charles Maxwell, Membership Officer; Cori Ratliff, Web Designer and Public Relations Officer; and Dr. Christine Swiridoff, Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor.

Sixty-four students were inducted into the Beta Kappa Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society at Cerro Coso Community College for the 2008-2009 academic year: Denise Allen, Kathleen Armstrong, Roxana Barbosa, Donna Bell, Doris Blackwell Carbajal, Lisa Bossert, Katie Burch, Uriah Burke, Carissa Cash, Judy Chieze, Eric Clayborn, Kristine Clemmons, Jacquelynn Conrad, Jewels Costello, Christina David, Leroy Davis, Laken Depew, Nolan Doss, Elizabeth Eisenhauer, Shyanne Evans, Phyllis Fernandez, Karen Field, Sandra Gates, Krystle Gifford, Robin Giovanni, Gabrielle Grajeda, Robert Gockley Jr., Amber Haslam, Susan Heidt, Traci Heston, Mary Huckins, Kimera Hurst, Lindsay Johnson, Michael Kendall, Rebecca Lake-Molina, Liselotte Lavelle, Robert Licari, Barbara Lieberman, Marnie Linebaugh, John Linn, Katrina Long, Charles Maxwell, Kyle McDade, Nathan McGuire, Chrystine Medina, Cindy Mertz, Rema Mitchell, Vincent Morrione, Helen Nunn, Susan Parisi, Kelly Pankey, Ginger Petrie, Robert Phung, Morgan Robles, Kellyann Sarad, Matthew Sgherzi, Jarrod Spiczenski, Daniel Stallings, Shanyn Stewart, Megan Thompson, Kimberly Tieche, Lara Wall, John Weaver, and Jian Zhang.

Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society of the Two Year College, founded in 1918. Its mission is to encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide development opportunities through participation in leadership and service. Cerro Coso joined Phi Theta Kappa and established the Beta Kappa Chi chapter in 2006.

These students earned the privilege to join Phi Theta Kappa based on their academic excellence, earning at least a 3.5 grade point average in degree- and transfer-level courses, making them the top 10% of Cerro Coso Community College students. By joining Phi Theta Kappa, they become life-long members of the world's largest honors society, have access to over $36 million in scholarships, and join an outstanding fellowship of scholars.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Clark, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230