Butler’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Earns State, Regional and International Honors

Butler Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter received recognition at the state, regional and international levels this year, highlighted by seven students being named to the prestigious All-Kansas Academic Team.

The All-Kansas Academic Team recognizes outstanding community college students for academic achievement, leadership and service. Butler students honored in the Workforce pathway were Woosung Lee, Emmanuela Lum Forbacha and Allison Voges. Students recognized in the Transfer pathway were Fay Belair, Blayke Locke, Ritu Niroula and Misty Rueda.

“I consider it a great honor and privilege to be a part of our students’ growth and journey of self-discovery,” said Chrissy Gifford, Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisor. “This is the best, to see them reaching their goals and being awarded accordingly.”

In regional competition, several Butler students earned honors through Phi Theta Kappa’s Edge programs. Caspian Lopez was recognized for the Transfer Edge Program. Matthew Marcum earned honors in the Competitive Edge, Employment Edge, Advocacy Edge and Transfer Edge programs. Dimera Peterson and Latisha Thomas were each recognized in the Advocacy Edge Program.

Students also received awards in academic and creative competition categories. Brent Tersol placed fifth in Achievement in Literature – Creative Writing. Fay Belair earned first place in Achievement in Literature – Research, first place in Achievement in Art – Ceramics/Sculpture, first place in Achievement in Art – Drawing/Painting and second place in Achievement in Art – Photography.

As a chapter, Butler was named a Five Star Chapter. At the Heartland Region level, Gifford received the Horizon Award. Internationally, Butler’s chapter was named a Top 100 Chapter and earned recognition for a Top 50 Distinguished College Project.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing academic achievement among students at associate-degree-granting colleges while encouraging scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

Honored Phi Theta Kappa students, listed by hometown:

Augusta 
Blayke Locke – Transfer All-Academic Team

El Dorado 
Fay Belair - Achievement in Literature - Research 1st Place / Achievement in Art - Photography 2nd Place / Achievement in Art Ceramics/sculpture 1st Place / Achievement in Art Drawing & Painting 1st Place / Transfer All-Academic Team  
Emmanuela Lum Forbacha – Workforce All-Academic Team  
Dimera Peterson - Advocacy Edge Program

Maize 
Woosung Lee – Workforce All-Academic Team  

Wichita 
Caspian Lopez - Transfer Edge Program  
Matthew Marcum - Competitive Edge, Employment Edge, Advocacy Edge, Transfer Edge Programs 
Ritu Niroula – Transfer All-Academic Team 
Misty Rueda – Transfer All-Academic Team  
Brent Tersol - Achievement in Literature-Creative 5th Place 
Latisha Thomas - Advocacy Edge Program  
Allison Voges – Workforce All-Academic Team