Issue Date: 10/12/09
Honor society offers service opportunities
By Yvonne Lanot
While Palomar College has many clubs, there is one club that stands out above the rest for any student with a passion for helping out the community and for great benefits toward their academic achievement.
When students hear Phi Theta Kappa, most assume it is a fraternity or sorority. In reality, Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges.
This organization was first started in 1918 by three female students who wanted to start an honor society for women at two-year colleges. In 1926, the organization spread out to any coeducational junior colleges. By the 1960s, Phi Theta Kappa went to full expansion and went beyond their mission's statement and their involvement with communities.
In 1994, the Alpha Omega Rho chapter was created for Palomar College. To be an active member, one must have a 3.5 GPA or higher. But this club is not just about being a good student and getting recognized for it; they try to get more involved with volunteer and community work.
"The club is about volunteer work, education and fellowship" said Clyde Campbell, the vice president of service for the Alpha Omega Rho chapter.
"The members in the club are all active members of the community and have a bond of being both driven and wanting to make a difference, he added."
Since this club focuses mostly on volunteer work for the community, they have many different projects that they do throughout the year. According to Campbell, most projects occur simultaneously. Phi Theta Kappa organize projects like sending out cards for those in the war or bringing communities together to clean up Palomar College or participating in the Health Fair.
One of the bigger projects for the Alpha Omega Rho chapter is Habitat for Humanity, which helps contractors build houses for those who are in need of a new home. Project leader Michelle Ryan expressed her excitement over being elected to become the project leader. She said it will be a great experience for anyone volunteering.
"The people in the club are close and a great support system," Ryan said. "They are also great encouragement and a great team for people who aren't quite active members of the club, but are provisional members."
Ryan also added, "I love being in the club, and I have already gotten so much out of it."
"There are many benefits in being in the club, like scholarship opportunities, traveling, recognition, and just lots of experience in communicating," Jentry Uran, the chapter's recording secretary said. "Phi Theta Kappa is a great opportunity to reach out to the community and just volunteer."
When students hear Phi Theta Kappa, most assume it is a fraternity or sorority. In reality, Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges.
This organization was first started in 1918 by three female students who wanted to start an honor society for women at two-year colleges. In 1926, the organization spread out to any coeducational junior colleges. By the 1960s, Phi Theta Kappa went to full expansion and went beyond their mission's statement and their involvement with communities.
In 1994, the Alpha Omega Rho chapter was created for Palomar College. To be an active member, one must have a 3.5 GPA or higher. But this club is not just about being a good student and getting recognized for it; they try to get more involved with volunteer and community work.
"The club is about volunteer work, education and fellowship" said Clyde Campbell, the vice president of service for the Alpha Omega Rho chapter.
"The members in the club are all active members of the community and have a bond of being both driven and wanting to make a difference, he added."
Since this club focuses mostly on volunteer work for the community, they have many different projects that they do throughout the year. According to Campbell, most projects occur simultaneously. Phi Theta Kappa organize projects like sending out cards for those in the war or bringing communities together to clean up Palomar College or participating in the Health Fair.
One of the bigger projects for the Alpha Omega Rho chapter is Habitat for Humanity, which helps contractors build houses for those who are in need of a new home. Project leader Michelle Ryan expressed her excitement over being elected to become the project leader. She said it will be a great experience for anyone volunteering.
"The people in the club are close and a great support system," Ryan said. "They are also great encouragement and a great team for people who aren't quite active members of the club, but are provisional members."
Ryan also added, "I love being in the club, and I have already gotten so much out of it."
"There are many benefits in being in the club, like scholarship opportunities, traveling, recognition, and just lots of experience in communicating," Jentry Uran, the chapter's recording secretary said. "Phi Theta Kappa is a great opportunity to reach out to the community and just volunteer."
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