DSC Phi Theta Kappa chapter again earns prestigious five-star designation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 28, 2016) – For the second straight year, the Mu Rho chapter of

the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society at Daytona State College has been named a Five-Star chapter by the Missouri-based national honor society, founded in 1918 to recognize and encourage scholarship and service among two-year college students.

Earning the five-star designation is the most exclusive status a chapter can achieve.

“This is fantastic news for our college and our students,” said DSC President Tom LoBasso. “Earning the prestigious five-star designation two years in a row reflects on the character and quality of our PTK students, as well as their individual commitment to excellence, leadership and service. It also acknowledges the efforts of our faculty and club advisors who dedicate themselves to fostering academic excellence and integrity in our students inside and outside the classroom.”

The five-star designation recognizes PTK chapters for student engagement, both on campus and in the community. As part of its five-star efforts this year, Mu Rho hosted bowling and movie nights benefitting the Conklin Center for the Blind, participated in fundraisers for the American Heart Association and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and helped sponsor blood drives on campus. The chapter also packaged 10,000 meals as part of the national Stop Hunger Now initiative, and launched an academic research project called Honors in Action focusing on frontiers in astrobiology.

Chapter advisor Steven Pruitt said the Mu Rho chapter is always seeking new members. To be eligible for PTK membership, DSC students must have at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and must have completed 12 semester hours. Members are eligible for over $87 million in scholarship opportunities from the national PTK organization, as well as from partnering four-year colleges, universities and foundations.

This year’s Mu Rho chapter officers are Jacob Swaggerty, president; Danjha Leon, vice president; Kelcie Knapp, vice president of membership;  Adedoyin Adepegba, secretary; Christopher Gow, treasurer; Ryan Kirby, parliamentarian; and Dave Masaitis, vice president of communication.

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DSC student chosen for prestigious national scholarship

May ’15 grad one of 90 in the U.S. to receive Kent Cooke Scholarship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 29, 2015) - Daytona State College soon-to-be graduate Melissa

Diaz got a big surprise when she came for a meeting in the president’s office on April 28.

The stellar associate-degree student found out she will receive a prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, as one of 90 scholars nationwide chosen this year. The scholarship is for up to $40,000 per year and is intended to cover a significant share of Melissa’s educational expenses when she transfers to the University of Florida, Gainesville, in the fall – including tuition, living expenses, books and fees – for two to three years to earn her bachelor’s degree.

“Melissa represents the fulfillment of the Daytona State College mission,” said Interim President Thomas LoBasso. “Here, she found an open door to explore her possibilities, to grow and to test her leadership abilities in ways that have prepared her to successfully advance through her next academic challenge and through life. To say we are all proud of her is an understatement.”

The Cooke Foundation scholarship award is the culmination of Melissa’s exceptional dedication to

her studies and the college community during her time at DSC. She became president of Phi Theta Kappa’s Mu Rho Chapter, leading it to becoming a five-star chapter, and headed the “Honors in Action Project” that focuses on community health awareness; conducted bowling and movie nights for the Conklin Center for the Blind; participated in the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association; and helped sponsor blood drives on campus.

Melissa also was named among the Florida College System’s 2015 All-Florida Academic Team, which recognizes outstanding students for their academic achievement, leadership and service to their communities.

She has set her goals on a career embracing political science and law. She is one of only a few associate of arts degree students ever to present a scholarly paper to the Florida Political Science Association, and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science at UF, ultimately earning a law degree.

“Melissa is a dedicated individual,” says Steven Pruitt, DSC student activities coordinator and PTK advisor. “She has been a major part of bringing the Mu Rho chapter of PTK back to life at Daytona State. It has been an honor to be a mentor to Melissa, and help foster her leadership skills and abilities.

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Seven DSC students named to 2014 All-Florida Academic Team

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2014) - Seven Daytona State College students have been named to the Florida College System’s (FCS) 2014 All-Florida Academic Team.

Danielle Bowen (resident of New Smyrna Beach), Nicholas Boyce (Flagler Beach), Danielle Fritts (Ormond Beach), Jill Knazur (Palm Coast), Lisa McNeil (Deltona), Tahjna Miles (Daytona Beach) and Kathleen Newman (Edgewater) are among 109 outstanding FCS students who will be recognized at an awards ceremony April 24 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando.

“We are very proud of our students who have been chosen for the 2014 Florida academic team,” said Carol W. Eaton, president of Daytona State. “To be nominated for this prestigious honor recognizes their hard work and commitment to their education.”

The All-Florida Academic Team is composed of students who have been nominated by their respective colleges to the All-USA Academic Team competition sponsored by USA Today and the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. Students are nominated based on their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community.

A national team of judges will review all nominated candidates and select a 20-member first USA team in coming weeks. Each member will receive a stipend and be featured in USA Today. Second- and third-team winners also will be selected.

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