The Arkansas State University-Beebe Beta Omega Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa recently received top awards at the annual Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland.
Those attending the event were PTK members Elizabeth Ply, Hope Branch, Bryce Strassner, and Krome Cox, along with PTK co-advisors Meredith Gordon, assistant professor of biology, and Eddie Supratman, assistant professor of history and comparative religion.
“Once again, our PTK students have exhibited the highest level of excellence in scholarship and service,” said Dr. Jennifer Methvin, chancellor at ASU-Beebe. “They individually and collectively brought home several prestigious awards this year. The example is obviously set by our award-winning chapter advisors. It is with great pride that I extend my gratitude and congratulations to Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Supratman, and our PTK members.”
The ASU-Beebe PTK chapter received the Five Star Chapter Award. The award is the highest chapter-level recognition given by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), an international honor society for community college students. The award recognizes PTK chapters that have fully completed all five levels of the PTK Chapter Development Plan during a given academic year. It basically signals that a chapter is highly active, well-organized, and impactful. The ASU-Beebe PTK chapter has achieved the Five Star Chapter Award every year since its inception in 2022.
The PTK chapter also received the Top 5 Honors in Action Certificate of Distinction in the Oklahoma/Arkansas Region. The certificate is an award recognizing chapters or members who complete a high-quality honor in action project at an exceptional level. Honors in Action (HIA) is PTK’s main honors program where students’ complete college-level research on a national topic, convert the research into a real-world service project, and then, work as a team to solve a community problem.
Meredith Gordon received the Distinguished Paragon Advisor Certificate of Merit Award.
The award is given to exceptional new PTK advisors and is based on their strong support for student success, and their leadership, mentorship, and commitment to their PTK chapter.
Hope Branch was awarded the 2026 New Century Workforce Scholarship and received a $1,500 scholarship. Scholars are selected from the highest All-USA Academic Team application score in their state and who indicate an intent to enter the workforce upon their two-year credential completion. Branch, from Batesville, plans to work in veterinary technology.
Bryce Strassner was one of 22 students nationwide to receive the Hites Transfer Scholarship and received $7,500 toward a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is based on outstanding academic achievement and rigor, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in college and community activities. Strassner, from Cabot, is a health science major and plans to transfer to the University of Central Arkansas to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology.
In addition, Eddie Supratman received the Mosal Award, which is a very prestigious honor and includes a $5,000 professional development stipend to support his research and writing on the topic, "From North to South: Indigenous Narratives of Land, Story, and Identity among the Sámi and Māori." The Mosal Award encourages professional development by providing financial support to chapter advisors for the completion of projects that lead to personal professional growth. This is defined as the advancement, improvement, increase in knowledge, or general progress toward maturity in one's profession beyond earned degrees, pursued out of the desire for betterment or personal interest in the undertaking.
PTK Catalyst is Phi Theta Kappa’s premier annual event, bringing together members, advisors, and their supporters for professional development and celebration of the accomplishments of the PTK community.
Pictured: ASU-Beebe faculty and students received top awards at the recent Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. Pictured, from left, are PTK co-advisor Eddie Supratman; students Elizabeth Ply, Hope Branch, Bryce Strassner, and Krome Cox; and PTK co-advisor Meredith Gordon.
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