This past weekend, Alpha Upsilon Kappa, GRCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, joined 18 other chapters at a regional conference. The 10 GRCC students who attended took part in leadership building, service opportunities, a college fair, social activities and an awards gala.
Alpha Upsilon Kappa members received many honors. Chapter President Morgan Brown and the other three regional officers were recognized for winning the National Fellowship Award. Chapter Vice President Marcus Barissi was recognized as one of GRCC’s Coca-Cola All American Scholarship nominees. Brown and chapter adviser Lynnae Selberg were recognized for completing the 5 Star Competitive Edge leadership development training program.
Alpha Upsilon Kappa members were recognized for earning a “challenge coin” for exemplify Phi Theta Kappa’s four pillars: scholarship, service, leadership and fellowship. Of the 15 challenge coins awarded, five went to GRCC:
- Marcus Barissi – Scholarship.
- Erin Busscher – Scholarship.
- Bailey Cummings — Service.
- Chapter Treasurer Ernesto “Ernie” Farias — Fellowship.
- Drewyn Talley — Leadership.
Two of four regional scholarships went to GRCC students: Barissi won the Richard Trombley Scholarship Award, and Brown received the Thomas Obee Scholarship Award.
GRCC’s 2017-2018 Executive Board — Brown, Barissi, Farias, Secretary Drewyn Talley and Vice President of Hallmarks Eli Paparella — was first runner-up for the Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award.
Busscher received the Paragon Advisor Award, given to new advisors who demonstrate excellence in chapter leadership. She and Selberg were recognized as one of three Distinguished Advisor Teams, and Selberg won the Distinguished Advisor Award.
The Alpha Upsilon Kappa chapter was second runner-up for its 2017-2018 College Project and first runner-up for its Honors in Action Project. The chapter also was recognized as first runner-up for Most Distinguished Chapter.