Bellevue College’s Phi Theta Kappa earns acclaim

Bellevue College’s Alpha Epsilon Rho chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society has earned nine awards at the national and regional levels.

Competing against Phi Theta Kappa chapters from 54 colleges in the society’s greater northwest region, Bellevue College won third place in each of four categories — Most Distinguished Chapter, Service, Scholarship and Leadership — and second place for the quality of its yearbook.

Bellevue’s chapter also earned recognition as a five-star chapter, officially placing it among the region’s best.

In addition, Bellevue College student Olga Cazac, of Bellevue, won the region’s Joan Fedor Alumni Scholarship, which recognizes students who are both academically strong and highly active in their community through Phi Theta Kappa.

At the national level, the college’s Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisor, communication studies program chair Katherine Oleson, of Des Moines, received the Paragon Award for New Advisors. Oleson also won the same honor at the regional level.

Bellevue College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter is led this year by: Wendy Kristek, president, of Mercer Island; Cecilia Dao, vice president, of Newcastle; Deniz Aydinel, vice president of fellowship, an international student from Turkey currently living on Mercer Island; William Wijaya, vice president of service, an international student from Indonesia currently living on Mercer Island; Vicky Law, vice president of leadership, of Bellevue; Katherine Martucci, vice president of scholarship, of Renton; and Steffi Hermanto, pinnacle and communications officer, an international student from Indonesia currently living in Bellevue.

Phi Theta Kappa’s Greater Northwest region includes colleges in Washington, Alaska, Northern Idaho, Montana and western Canada.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.