OCTC Honors New Phi Theta Kappa Members and Graduates

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (05/11/2026) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) proudly inducted new members into the Alpha Xi Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, during a ceremony held Thursday, May 7, 2026. The event also recognized graduating students who have been active members of the chapter throughout their academic journey.

Phi Theta Kappa recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. Students invited to join PTK must demonstrate academic excellence through a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and completion of at least 12 credit hours toward a degree or six hours toward a certificate program.

The following students were inducted as new members of the Alpha Xi Gamma Chapter: Abdul Alza, Brian Barton, Taylor Biever, Syrna Blandford, Tyce Boling, Lanet Boyken, Adam Bray, John Call, Kiley Clark, Terryn Clyburn, Levi Dedman, Conner Dennison, Faith DiGiorio, Julia Drury, Courtney Duke, William Edge, Mackenzie Flener, Lindley Fogle, Jaeden Frakenberger, Paulie Fraschule, Ava Hardesty, Krystal Haseman, Madelyn Head, Kelly Holder, Kenneth Hutchins, Chloe Keele, Johnny Manes, Clayton Manire, Jaron Norris, Perez Ocampo, Dillan Peak, Maria Rocha, David Ragmeza, Isaiah Stone, Sarah Talbott, Autumn Taylor, Mawi Te, Qunitez Todd, and Shannon Wood.

The ceremony also recognized the chapter's current student officers:

OCTC's PTK advisory team includes Dr. Timothy Dick, Faculty Advisor; Nathan Hirtz, Faculty Advisor; and Nikki Wimpelberg, Advisor.

In addition to leadership and networking opportunities, PTK members participate in research, service initiatives, and scholarship programs. Through College Project Awards and Honors in Action Projects, chapters collaborate with college leadership to develop projects that support institutional goals and address community needs through research, advocacy, and service.

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is offered to students enrolled in accredited associate degree programs. Eligible students receive an invitation to join the chapter and pay a one-time lifetime membership fee of $60.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa at OCTC, contact Nikki Wimpelberg at nikki.wimpelberg@kctcs.edu.

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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC

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