PTK members recognized on All-Illinois Academic Team
Two IVCC students were among those recognized this month in Springfield by the Illinois Community College System as part of the fifth annual Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team.
Lee Dvorak of Ottawa and Jan Foehring of Princeton were nominated by the IVCC faculty for the honor.
The students were recognized during a banquet April 16 at Lincoln Land Community College and were presented with medals April 17 in the Illinois State Museum. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges.
"Illinois has a vast resource in the students who have experienced the Illinois Community College System," said Dr. Joseph J. Cipfl, president and CEO of the Illinois Community College Board. "The Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team is one way we can honor the outstanding academic achievements made by our community college students and recognize the positive contributions community colleges and their students make to our Illinois communities."
Dvorak, who graduated magna cum laude from IVCC in December, is presently attending Illinois State University full-time for a social science teaching degree. He is a former Army Ranger and drill instructor, a full-time paramedic in Cook County and coached Ottawa Little League the past two years. Dvorak also is the only IVCC AmeriCorps member. In that capacity, he tutors two days a week at Jefferson School in Ottawa. While at IVCC, he also was a member of the college’s First Responder team.
Foehring, whose major is social work, will transfer to ISU in August. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree at ISU and then continue on for a master’s degree in social work. Eventually, she wants to work with children, either in the school system or through child welfare services.
Faculty advisors are English instructor Kirk Lockwood, mathematics instructor Wes Black and philosophy instructor Dr. Robert Abele.
IVCC President Jean Goodnow addressed the All-Illinois Academic Team in Springfield on both days of the recognition event. Goodnow, who coordinated the statewide event, is serving this year as Phi Theta Kappa Presidential Ambassador.
Goodnow also was instrumental this year in having the team recognized in a two-page advertisement in the Chicago Tribune.
Students receiving recognition had to earn a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average and exhibit outstanding campus and community involvement for nomination to the All-USA Academic Team.
Phi Theta Kappa operates on four hallmarks — leadership, scholarship, fellowship and service. Student members of Phi Theta Kappa are encouraged to not only excel in the classroom, but to create opportunities to put these hallmarks into action.
Membership in Phi Theta Kappa, through a variety of activities, allows students to develop leadership skills, build networks and serve their communities.