2008 Woodie Awards
Phi Theta Kappa invites campus to join in study of dymics of global power
Anne Engert
Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: News
Thanks to a grant from the local franchise of AFLAC, the supplemental insurance people with the ubiquitous talking duck, Modesto Junior College's local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is participating in a series of conferences and seminars on the intricacies of global power. Every two years, Phi Theta Kappa's parent organization explores a different theme of study for its members, and the current topic is Gold, Gods, and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power. Three separate events-one national, one regional, and one here on campus-are part of the program.
The national PTK Honors Institute was held June 19-25 in Newark, Delaware, at the University of Delaware. This reporter, an English major here at MJC, represented Modesto's Phi Theta Kappans at the event. Student delegates enjoyed an entire week devoted to studying the complex and timely issues surrounding globalization and the various uses of power: political, economic, and even personal. The conference featured world-class lecturers, including sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi. Following the lectures, student seminar groups discussed the issues addressed by the speakers. PTK members who attended the Honors Institute in Delaware returned to their home campuses with increased understanding of the historical background and the present state of the dynamics of power. They had also cultivated a new network of friends from across the nation: other students and instructors who had shared this unique opportunity for scholarship and fellowship.
The regional event was held July 28-30 in Reno and was hosted by the University of Nevada. PTK faculty advisor Dr. James Beggs, MJC Professor of English, attended this event with four students from Modesto: Lynn Sampson (PTK club president), Nick Marcellis, Titus Alameda, and this reporter. Although the theme of study was the same, the program narrowed its focus to the American West, examining the roles of resources, religion, and renown in its development. California and the West provided ample material, including the early Spanish presence, the 1849 gold rush, and the historical contributions of specific religious groups. And once again, it was an opportunity for members of Phi Theta Kappa to combine stimulating academic discourse and fellowship with other community college students from around the region.
The national PTK Honors Institute was held June 19-25 in Newark, Delaware, at the University of Delaware. This reporter, an English major here at MJC, represented Modesto's Phi Theta Kappans at the event. Student delegates enjoyed an entire week devoted to studying the complex and timely issues surrounding globalization and the various uses of power: political, economic, and even personal. The conference featured world-class lecturers, including sociologist Dr. Pepper Schwartz and Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi. Following the lectures, student seminar groups discussed the issues addressed by the speakers. PTK members who attended the Honors Institute in Delaware returned to their home campuses with increased understanding of the historical background and the present state of the dynamics of power. They had also cultivated a new network of friends from across the nation: other students and instructors who had shared this unique opportunity for scholarship and fellowship.
The regional event was held July 28-30 in Reno and was hosted by the University of Nevada. PTK faculty advisor Dr. James Beggs, MJC Professor of English, attended this event with four students from Modesto: Lynn Sampson (PTK club president), Nick Marcellis, Titus Alameda, and this reporter. Although the theme of study was the same, the program narrowed its focus to the American West, examining the roles of resources, religion, and renown in its development. California and the West provided ample material, including the early Spanish presence, the 1849 gold rush, and the historical contributions of specific religious groups. And once again, it was an opportunity for members of Phi Theta Kappa to combine stimulating academic discourse and fellowship with other community college students from around the region.
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