Colleges join for PTK meet

    More than 200 Phi Theta Kappa members traveled to Texas Tech University to participate in the Texas Regional Leadership Conference earlier this month.

   Students, advisors, alumni and college recruiters participated, including more than 30 people representing TCC.

   The conference was designed to teach leadership skills and to help students help make a positive impact on their individual chapters.

   Students chose from 30 workshops on subjects such as team building, goal setting, time and conflict management, ethical leadership and diversity awareness.

   Other workshops were aimed at helping students gain a better understanding of Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for community colleges.

   Some workshops included chapter development, fund raising and brainstorming, public relations and campus networking and information on how to run for international or regional office.

   One seminar dealt with conquering cancer, the international service project for PTK. This workshop concerned the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

   Students also could choose workshops on making transitions to major universities.

   These workshops concerned obtaining scholarship money, getting letters of recommendation and transferring.

   Recruiters gave information to students in the College Fair and Market. Students could shop for t-shirts and novelty items while speaking to a recruiter about transferring to a major university.

   Dana Smith, Tech University admissions counselor and former PTK member, planned the event.

   Entertainment was provided in the American Wind Power Center in Lubbock near the university.

   After a barbecue dinner, students were entertained with Native American dancers and music, a bullwhip artist and a dance.