LSU Transfer Student Programs chartered University’s first Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Chapter
Baton Rouge, La. – April 4, 2017 – LSU chartered Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Alumni Chapter and honor society for transfer students on Monday, March 26, 2017.
PTK is an international honor society for two-year colleges and academic programs, and is instrumental in providing students with resources and scholarships to help transfer them to four-year universities.
Stephen Martinez, Chapter president, played a key role in bringing the Alumni Chapter to LSU. Martinez said, "Our goal is to provide incoming PTK transfer students with an additional layer of resources to assist them during the transition from the two-year to the four-year academic institution." He continued, "By having this association here at LSU, incoming PTK transfer students will find a ready made circle of friends, whose goal is to help them assimilate to the university, and to be a shoulder to lean on when times become challenging. It is also our hope to assist in the recruiting process of PTK members to LSU, while also promoting the LSU Honors Promise Transfer Scholarship which is exclusive to PTK members transferring to LSU."
PTK Alumni Chapter secretary, Victoria Guitreau, said that PTK was the reason that she transferred to LSU from River Parish Community College. Guitreau was the recipient of the past year’s PTK scholarship that provided her with funding to transfer to LSU. Guitreau said, “I’m excited for the LSU PTK Alumni Chapter because the PTK scholarship is the reason I am here, and I think the Alumni Chapter will help spread the word to other students wanting to be a tiger.”
Seth Nieman, PTK Alumni Chapter Treasurer, said that holding a leadership position within the Chapter has inspired him to pursue other leadership opportunities at LSU. Nieman said, “Once you get one leadership role, it always motivates you to pursue other opportunities and get involved in other things around campus.”
Chapter vice president, Simone Dreher, said that having a PTK Alumni Chapter at LSU will help other transfer students feel more welcome. Dreher said, “Transferring from a small two-year college to a large four-year one can be extremely overwhelming, and having a group to fit in to already in place for transfer students will give them a leg up and community.”
The following students were the first inductees into the PTK Alumni Chapter at LSU:
Stephen Martinez – Chapter President
Simone Dreher – Chapter Vice President
Victoria Guitreau – Chapter Secretary
Seth Nieman – Chapter Treasurer
Ashley Self – Chapter Historian
Abbie Shull
In order to be inducted to the PTK Alumni Chapter at LSU, students had to have been a member of the honor society at their previous institution. To be inducted into the PTK Honor Society students must have completed 12 hours coursework directly applicable to their associates degree, and have a GPA of a 3.5 or higher. Additionally, students must be invited to be inducted and adhere to the moral standards of the society.
For more information about LSU Transfer Student Programs or PTK Alumni Chapter at LSU, please visit lsu.edu/transfers or contact Dr. Missy Korduner.
Transfer Student Programs, a Division of Student Affairs, is dedicated to helping transfer students succeed at LSU by offering resources and support. For more information, please visit lsu.edu/transfers.