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MDCC PTK Chapter Receives REACH Reward
February 24, 2021
The Zeta Zeta Chapter of Mississippi Delta Community College's (MDCC) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society has been named a 2021 REACH Chapter and will receive special recognition in the form of four PTK graduation stoles.
The REACH Reward is designed to recognize chapters focused on Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors (REACH).
"Being a REACH chapter is more important this year than ever before as Phi Theta Kappa worked to support community college students in completely unfamiliar circumstances," PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. "Racial and political unrest and a global pandemic made 2020 the most challenging year in recent history — one that our students, chapters, and partner colleges worked exceptionally hard to overcome. Although this is a chapter award, it demonstrates that students are more focused on their futures than ever before, and their colleges are providing the opportunities to get them there — even amid a global pandemic."
A full 91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members will complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 38 percent of students nationally. Members have access to $48 million in scholarships — $1 million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $46 million in transfer scholarships to over 850 four-year colleges.
"MDCC has a rich history of sponsoring active and award-winning Phi Theta Kappa chapters. This is a great honor for our Zeta Zeta Chapter to reach this milestone, especially due to the unprecedented times we have faced this past year. David Grant and his chapter officers should be commended for a job well done," said Teresa Webster, MDCC's vice president of instruction.
David Grant, MDCC PTK advisor and electrical instructor, explained that his recruitment method is basic but effective.
"I tell the students to get the word out; to tell their friends that they're missing out on financial opportunities. I have a list of eligible students that I go by, but sometimes students aren't on the list because they simply lack the credit hour requirement or something along those lines," explained Grant. "Sometimes, our current members help us find those students because they're already friends. They work to meet the requirements and are then eligible."
Grant went on to explain that he helps students see that Phi Theta Kappa is an investment in their future. A small investment of time and energy now can lead to large gains in the future.
Derrick Fields, MDCC's assistant to the vice president of student services, echoed Webster in pride in Phi Theta Kappa as well as recognition of Grant.
"The Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Mississippi Delta Community College is honored to be recognized as a 2021 REACH Chapter recipient. We are incredibly proud of our PTK members, whose commitment to excellence is second to none. David Grant, the PTK Zeta Zeta Chapter sponsor at MDCC, continues to provide the needed guidance to students as they raise the bar in academics, service and leadership," said Fields.
"At Miss. Delta, we're always pushing for students to reach their full potential, and we see that exemplified in our Phi Theta Kappa students," explained Dr. Tyrone Jackson, president of MDCC. "These students put in a lot of hard work in the classroom, and outside of it as well, with fundraisers and other activities. For them now to receive the REACH Reward showing that they are also putting in extra effort in recruiting does not surprise me, but it does make me very proud."