International Honor Society of the Two-Year College
Modeled after Phi Beta Kappa, the prestigious honor society for four-year colleges, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society for two-year colleges in the world, established in 1918 and now headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi.
PTK enrolls qualified students across all academic disciplines and currently boasts over 200,000 members globally. Additionally, PTK sponsors over $187 million in scholarships.
Phi Theta Kappa offers each of its members outstanding opportunities to develop strengths in four important areas, referred to as "Hallmarks." They are: Leadership, Scholarship, Fellowship, and Service
The colors for Phi Theta Kappa are blue, for scholarship, and gold, for purity.
The Golden Key became Phi Theta Kappa's official emblem and the design for the membership pin. The Key is a golden slab, keyed at the top and bottom. Across the center of the slab is a black enamel band upon which three Greek letters appear, which are the initials of three mystic Greek words meaning phronimon (Phi), thumos (Theta), katharotes (Kappa) and meaning wisdom, aspiration and purity. Behind the band is a wreath, on one side composed of oak leaves, and on the other, of laurel. The wreath of oak leaves denotes stability and strength of character, and the curling leaves of laurel signify achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, Goddess of Learning; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light, the light of learning and knowledge.
OCC's Beta Mu Alpha Chapter in the News: October 12, 2021
Please join us in congratulating Federico De Palma, who was just named PTK International Poet Laureate for 2021. De Palma's poetry will be published in the 2021 Nota Bene, PTK's annual literary journal, along with 27 other pieces from PTK members across the globe. De Palma's work was selected as the top poetry entry, earning him a $1,000.00 scholarship. Congratulations, Federico!