About Phi Theta Kappa
"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence."
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold: 1) recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and (2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.
Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society that originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa. The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin, Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, is the only charter college with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women's junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.
In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa's chief executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.
In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and services were offered. The explosive growth of community colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served. Students were inducted as freshmen and study programs were offered.
About Alpha Omicron Xi
The Alpha Omicron Xi chapter
of Phi Theta Kappa the International Honor Society for the Two Year College
is an integral part of the Orchard Ridge campus of Oakland
Community College.
About the Golden Key
The
Golden Key of Phi Theta Kappa is the official emblem of the Society. It consists of a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom. The golden field
represents the golden opportunities that abound on every hand for Society folk to evidence their culture and perform good works.
The black band represents the three ideals which band the organization together, and the cultural self control which is the necessary foundation for true wisdom, aspiration and purity. Shining through the black background are the three Greek letters, phronimon, thumos and katharotes; signifying wisdom, aspiration and purity respectively.
Behind the band is a wreath, composed of oak leaves on one side and laurel leaves on the other. The oak leaves stand for stability and strength of character, as symbolized by the sturdy oak. The graceful, curling leaves of the laurel signify achievement and success, all attributes for membership in our Society.
Above the band is the representation of the head of Athena, the Goddess of Learning; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light of knowledge and learning, the common ideal for members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
About the Seal
The Seal
contains the representation of Athena and the date of the Society's founding, 1918. The Seal is embossed in the lower left-hand corner of all membership
certificates. Advisors may order gold-embossed seals from the Recognition Services Department at Headquarters for the diplomas of graduating members.
Copyright Information
Copyright © 2007 by Phi Theta Kappa. All rights reserved. None of the official Phi Theta Kappa logos and emblems may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa has registered the name, logo and various titles herein with the U.S. Patent Office.