(North Canton, OH – May 25, 2009) – The Stark State College Beta Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has been named Most Distinguished Chapter in the Ohio region and one of the top three Most Distinguished Chapters internationally. The distinctions are awarded based on performance in the four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship; attendance at regional meetings; and regular communication with the regional and national offices and other chapters within the region.

Also at the state and international levels, Uniontown resident Cherie Barth, coordinator of student activities and PTK chapter advisor, was named Most Distinguished Chapter Advisor. Sandy Crossen, business management major from Massillon and David Sigmund, applied industrial technology major from East Sparta, were named Most Distinguished Chapter President and Most Distinguished Chapter Officer, respectively. The Chapter also received the Scholarship Hallmark Award for its honor study topic “The Paradox of Affluence.”

International awards were also received for the Leadership Hallmark and Service Hallmark, recognizing the chapter’s involvement in Keep America Beautiful. Martina Thomas-Catlin, administrative information technology major from Clinton, received the Most Distinguished Chapter Member.

The Ohio region awarded Sigmund the Honors Institute Scholarship and Crossen received the Leaders of Promise and the Buckeye Scholarships. Crossen and Thomas-Catlin were elected regional officers for 2009-10. The Ohio region also issued the Chapter the following certificates: Catch a Shining Star Award for leadership on the Ohio Region license plate initiative, the Five-Star Program Award for chapter development, Order of the Golden Key, Order of Athena, Order of the Torch and the Horizon Award.