September 23, 2026
New 2026-27 officers of the Beta Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society look forward to working with the college administration and fellow students to make a positive impact on the Forrest County Campus of 91福利.
Back Row – Emory Smith of Hattiesburg, Angie Ventura of Hattiesburg, Karla Contreras of Hattiesburg, Chloe White of Sumrall, Charles Hicks of Hattiesburg, Jonathan Gwin of Oak Grove, Daniel Robinson of Sumrall, and Sam Whittington of Hattiesburg.
The new officers were recently announced on the first day of classes in the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute.
鈥淚t feels great. I look forward to working with the officers and advisors to accomplish wonderful things this year,鈥� said Jonathan Gwin, 21, incoming president and a freshman business major from Oak Grove. 鈥淚 am also excited to see what we are going to be able to do as a chapter.鈥�
Sam Whittington, 20, sophomore from Hattiesburg planning to attend nursing school, finds his position as PTK regional officer of social media, an exciting challenge.
鈥淭his position gives me the opportunity to work with my peers to become better leaders and thinkers,鈥� he said.
Other new officers are Ella Bergman of Sumrall, Vice President of Leadership; Amaria Bowie of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Leadership; Karla Contreras of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Scholarship; Akayliah Donaldson of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Service; Charles Hicks of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Service; Alex Miller of Peal, Vice President of Chapter Engagement; Daniel Robinson of Sumrall, Vice President of Chapter Engagement.
Noah Stasny of Lumberton, Vice President of Fellowship; Marin Sumrall of Sumrall, Vice President of Fellowship; Angie Ventura of Hattiesburg, Vice President of Membership; Asia Walker of Hattiesburg, Ambassador of Dual Enrollment; Chloe White of Sumrall, Vice President of Career Readiness; Grace Kitchens of Oak Grove, Vice President of Officer in Training; and Emory Smith of Hattiesburg, Officer in Training.
Beta Tau Gammas advisors are Drs. David Collum, Terri Smith Ruckel, Ryan Ruckel and Doug Donohue, and Said Otwane. Phi Theta Kappa is known as the foremost honor society for two-year colleges with over 1,300 chapters worldwide.
The Beta Tau Gamma chapter covers the Forrest County Campus.
Students elected for membership are considered academically successful having completed at least 12 credit hours of non-remedial courses with a minimum cumulative 3.4 GPA.
Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship are the four hallmarks of PTK.
鈥淥ne of Phi Theta Kappa鈥檚 hallmarks is leadership,鈥� said Dr. Terri Ruckel, who also serves as MS/LA Associate Regional Coordinator for PTK.
鈥淭hese chapter officers take on extra work of managing projects, serving the campus and the community, and growing the chapter so that they might grow personally and professionally, build essential connections, and deepen their understanding of leadership.鈥�
Most officers are members of the Honors Institute, as well as other clubs and organizations.
Added Whittington, 鈥淚 really enjoy the community aspect of PRCC. Being able to work with like-minded peers is a positive.鈥�
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Article by Chuck Abadie.
