Celebrating Success: WSCO’s PTK Chapter Achieves Major Milestones

MARIETTA, OHIO — The Alpha Rho Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) has had an exceptional year, earning distinguished awards and recognition at both state and regional levels. These accolades highlight the chapter’s dedication to academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the official honor society for two-year colleges, celebrating academic excellence while offering students meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through honors, leadership, and service. For the past 15 years, Brad Merritt has served as the dedicated Chapter Advisor for WSCO’s Alpha Rho Gamma chapter. His leadership and mentorship have helped shape a chapter culture that inspires members to realize their full potential. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to see our students thrive—not just in the classroom, but as leaders and changemakers in their communities,” Merritt shared. “Their success reflects their determination, and I’m proud to be part of their journey.”

Proudly representing WSCO’s chapter at the Ohio Regional Convention at Stark State College in Canton, OH, were Chapter Advisor Brad Merritt, Regional and Chapter President Stacy Jarvis, and alumni members Sondra Holbert and Roy Campbell. Their hard work and passion for PTK’s mission were recognized through numerous awards and nominations:

• Alpha Rho Gamma won 2nd place out of 41 chapters in the region in the College Project Competition for its Voter Registration Initiative on WSCO’s campus, titled Saving Democracy.
• Alpha Rho Gamma was named the second-best chapter in the Ohio Region due to the chapter’s participation in various projects, including Assisting Eve Inc., hosting the Leadership in Action Conference on WSCO’s campus last October, supporting the Washington County Home assisted living facility, and the Voter Registration project.
• For the 14th consecutive year, Alpha Rho Gamma was named a Five Star Chapter.
• Stacy Jarvis, who was elected Regional President last year, received the Most Distinguished Regional Officer award for her exceptional leadership of the Ohio Region over the past year.
• Ric McKitrick, Vice President of Leadership, was inducted into the Order of Athena for his outstanding leadership within WSCO’s chapter.

In addition to their achievements at the Ohio Regional Convention, two outstanding members of the Alpha Rho Gamma chapter were named to the prestigious All-Ohio Community College Academic Team. Representing WSCO, Olivia Olsen and Kyndal Buchanan were recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in academics, leadership, and community service, earning spots on the Third State Team among students from Ohio’s twenty-three community colleges.

The recognition at the Ohio Regional Convention extended beyond the student members of Alpha Rho Gamma. Chapter Advisor Brad Merritt was honored for his 15 years of dedicated service as a Phi Theta Kappa advisor. His leadership and unwavering support have been instrumental to the chapter’s continued success. Reflecting on the milestone, Merritt shared, “It’s been an incredible journey working alongside such driven and passionate students. Watching them grow into leaders and seeing their hard work recognized on a state and regional level is truly the most rewarding part of this role.”

As the Alpha Rho Gamma chapter looks ahead to another successful year, they proudly welcomed and congratulated several newly inducted members who will play a key role in shaping and achieving the chapter’s goals for 2025–2026:

If you would like to learn more about the WSCO PTK chapter, Alpha Rho Gamma, please email Chapter Advisor Brad Merritt at bmerritt@wscc.edu.