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Ellsworth Community College celebrated 14 students being inducted into PTK. Pictured left to right:

Iowa Falls, IA — Ellsworth Community College (ECC) proudly welcomed fourteen (14) new members into the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society during an induction ceremony held Tuesday at 4:00 pm in Hamilton Auditorium, located in Kruse Main.

The Spring 2026 inductees include: Willow Ball, Erika Brinkman, Navada Campbell, Tanisha Chaudhari, Stella Freeseman, Caitlyn Gray, Jana Harms, Madison Herres, Blessing Igbinedion, Shaunna Magnuson, Elizabeth McPherson, Lilianne Morgan, Danilo Pjevac, and Belle Wharton.

The ceremony opened with a special music solo from the ECC band member Ethan Miller, followed by performances from ECC choir members Ethan Miller, Ami Roquet, and Irelynn Bodensteiner, under the direction of Dr. Cindy Lin. These performances set the tone for a meaningful celebration of academic achievement and student success.

Guest speaker Professor Carly Heilskov, English faculty at ECC, delivered an inspiring message encouraging students to embrace their individual journeys and remain open to change, reminding inductees that finding the right path sometimes means having the courage to choose a new one.

Remarks were also shared by Provost Dr. Barb Klein and Dr. Honoria Balogh, Dean of Academic Affairs, who both recognized the dedication and accomplishments of the inductees and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence.

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 by Missouri two-year college president to recognize and encourage academic achievement among community college students. The organization provides opportunities for growth through honors, leadership, and service. Today, PTK is the largest honor society in American higher education, with more than 2 million members and over 1,200 chapters across the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized PTK as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

The ECC chapter of PTK is led by advisors Jorg Rochiltzer and Dr. Michael Le, who continue to support and guide student members in their academic and leadership pursuits.

Ellsworth Community College congratulates its newest PTK members and celebrates their commitment to excellence. These students exemplify the values of scholarship, leadership, and service, and the college looks forward to their continued success.