PTK SPRING INITIATION HELD AT NEMCC-- Freshman early childhood education technology major Amanda Walker of Ripley signs the Book of Oath during the spring initiation ceremony of Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Iota Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Walker was one of 150 to sign the book and join the fraternity. A semester grade point average (gpa) of 3.5 or better is required before an invitation to become a member is extended. Drafting and design instructor Susan Scott welcomed the new members to the group and gave them the official charge to excellence. Music instructor Ray Harris, Ph.D., mathematics instructor Andrea Mathis and alumni/special projects coordinator Barbara Shackelford also serve as chapter advisers. Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with 1,250 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than two million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 100,000 students inducted annually. Recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society of two-year colleges. Northeast’s Iota Zeta chapter is a “Five Star” chapter, the highest rating given any chapter. It is open to students enrolled full-time who maintain a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.