Schroeder Named PTK Faculty Scholar

By Mike McKissack

College of DuPage Professor of Speech Communication Steve Schroeder recently was named one of 25 faculty scholars for the 2013 Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute.

The scholars were selected through a rigorous application process based on their knowledge of the organization's current honors study topic, "The Culture of Competition," as well as demonstrated excellence in teaching and/or administration.

"I feel honored to be recognized for the fifth time for my work with the students both here at the College of DuPage as well as those from all over the nation who attend the institute," said Schroeder.

After attending the annual Faculty Scholar Conference at Phi Theta Kappa's Center for Excellence in Jackson, Mississippi, the scholars will serve as group facilitators at the Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Institute being held this June at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. During the conference, Schroeder and other scholars will lead groups of honor students in seminar discussions.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society was founded in 1918 and is the largest honor society in American high education. The organization encourages and recognizes academic achievement and provides opportunity for personal development through honors, leadership, service and fellowship programs. More than 135,000 students are annually inducted into the organization, which features 1,285 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 states, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territories.

"While I've received this award several years in a row, the significance of the achievement never lessens. Receiving this award from educational colleagues makes it so much more meaningful because they understand the challenges of maintaining excellence both in the classroom and with co-curricular activities."

In 2012, the College of DuPage chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was selected as the Most Distinguished Chapter in Illinois for the second year in a row. The College also earned awards for Outstanding Honors in Action and Outstanding College-Wide Project.