(Ford City, PA) Butler County Community College has inducted six students from Armstrong County this spring into its Rho Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honor society whose new members must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5.
“To be able to achieve a 3.5 or better, that definitely says a lot about the type of students and scholars that they are,” said Morgan Rizzardi, BC3’s associate director of admissions and a co-adviser of BC3’s Rho Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. “It is a recognition that should be commended. It’s definitely something to celebrate.”
Students who have completed at least 12 credit hours toward an associate degree or six credit hours toward a one-year certificate and who meet academic requirements are eligible for membership into Rho Phi, which has 3.5 million members representing 11 countries.
Rho Phi’s spring induction ceremony was held virtually.
New Rho Phi members from Armstrong County this spring and their programs of study are Keila Baker, Ford City, early childhood education (Pre K-4); Sarah Fischer, Freeport, business administration; Wyatt Miller, Kittanning, general studies; Abigail Purvis, Freeport, Nursing, R.N.; James Switzer, Kittanning, apprenticeship technology workplace certificate; and Carissa Warr, Kittanning, business administration.
Phi Theta Kappa in March recognized Rho Phi as an ultimate five-star chapter for the fifth consecutive year following Rho Phi’s first four-star rating in 2015. Rho Phi was also recognized in March for membership acceptance rates.
To reach five-star status, a Phi Theta Kappa chapter must, among other requirements, develop an honors in action project that combines academic research, problem-solving and action-oriented services to address real-world challenges in communities.
To be honored with a Phi Theta Kappa Reach Award, chapters must increase membership acceptance rates by at least 15 percent. Rho Phi’s rate in 2020 was 15.4.
Rho Phi formed at BC3 in 1968.
