Honors Program
Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Programs seeks to enrich the academic experience of Phi Theta Kappans through the Honors Study Topic and the programs which emanate from it, including the annual International Honors Institute.
Hallmark Awards
The Hallmark Awards Program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, serves to recognize superior individual and chapter achievement in Society programs. In this program, chapters compete against one another. Participation encourages excellence, reflects fairness, recognizes quality, and leads to enhanced student, advisor, and chapter development.
The Hallmark Awards honor chapter accomplishments in the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The Fellowship Hallmark should be an integral part of each Hallmark program, by strengthening the bonds among Phi Theta Kappa members and reaching out to others through chapter programming. The annual Hallmark Awards Program is open to all active Phi Theta Kappa chapters.
The Scholarship Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current Honors Study Topic should be the primary focus of Scholarship Hallmark programs. Other activities may include tutoring, mentoring, and projects recognizing scholarship among students and/or faculty. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Scholarship Hallmark goals and their strategies for meeting these goals. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Scholarship Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Leadership Hallmark Awards
Implementation of activities in which the chapter assumes leadership roles on campus, in the community and within Phi Theta Kappa should be the primary focus of Leadership Hallmark programs. Other activities may demonstrate how the chapter has promoted the development of leadership skills for members and others on campus and in the community. Phi Theta Kappa's Leadership Development Studies Program may be used as the basis for leadership development for the chapter and others. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Leadership Hallmark goals and their strategies for meeting these goals. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Leadership Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Service Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current International Service Program, "Conquering Cancer: Continuing the Fight" should be the primary focus of Service Hallmark programs. Other service activities involving your campus, your community and/or other chapters in or beyond your region may also be included. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Service Hallmark goals and their strategies for meeting these goals. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Service Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
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Pinnacle Scholarship Award Program
The Pinnacle Scholarship Award Program recognizes Phi Theta Kappa chapters and regions for successfully enhancing their recruitment and orientation strategies, as measured by the number of new members reported to Headquarters in a given year.
The Pinnacle Program promotes increased awareness of Phi Theta Kappa, and is designed to ensure that the benefits of Society membership are fully understood by all eligible students.
Special recognition, on the local, regional and international levels, is awarded to chapters and regions that attain Pinnacle status. Pinnacle Scholarship Awards, in the form of cash stipends, may be earned by chapters and regions and should be used, at their discretion, for scholarship purposes.
The Pinnacle Scholarship Award Program includes three levels of recognition for chapters and regions.Five Star Program
This program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, serves as a blueprint for developing a strong chapter and for earning local, regional, and international recognition. In this program, chapters do not compete against one another. Participation encourages excellence and recognizes progress in the attainment of goals set by the chapter.
The Five Star Chapter Development Program has been redesigned to assist chapters in better organizing their projects and initiatives starting with the basic elements of running a chapter in Level One to becoming competitive in Phi Theta Kappa programming in Level Five. Using this program, chapters can build a foundation to leave a lasting legacy for future members.
The Five Star Chapter Development Program is, in effect, a chapter business plan. Using the Five Star Chapter Development Program as a guide to success, chapters can enhance their working relationship with the college administration by becoming active on the campus and in the community. This program will assist chapters in planning and implementing programs that have a positive impact on the lives of others while members gain leadership skills needed to execute change.
On a personal level, involvement in the program will educate chapter members in the importance of deadlines and organizational skills. These skills will be critical as members complete their education and begin serving as community leaders. The leadership skills and planning practices members gain from this program will enable them to create a plan, and implement changes in the world around them.
The term Five Star is interpreted as the peak of excellence when rating products and services such as restaurants, automobiles and hotels. The same holds true for chapters participating in Phi Theta Kappa's Five Star Program. Chapters will gain recognition for their success by meeting the higher standards of quality programming that the term Five Star symbolizes.
The strength of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society is determined by the achievements of chapters on the local level. Recognition for these achievements provides reinforcement and encourages a recommitment to chapter goals. By following the steps in the Five Star Chapter Development Guide, chapters gain recognition for their success on the local, regional and international levels.
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Courtesy of ptk.org/programs
Updated April 28, 2005