Change in Registration Fee
Because we have worked with the hotel on costs and because some money has
been given to us for the convention, we are going to lower the registration
fee. It will now be $80 instead of $85 per person. If you have already
requested a check for the previous fee, Duane will be happy to carry the
credit forward for you, or he will be happy to send you a refund.
We look forward to seeing you in Fort Worth.
2008 Regional Hallmark Awards Cover Sheets
Click here to download the 2008 Regional Hallmark Awards Cover Sheets.
Note that the checklist has been UPDATED recently.
Icarus Award 2008 cover sheet
Here is the Icarus Award cover sheet for 2008: Click to download.
NEW!! ScholarshipExperts.com Top Ten List Scholarship
Still looking for scholarships for spring/summer 2008? ScholarshipExperts.com just launched the Top Ten List Scholarship!
The scholarship program is open to all U.S. residents, 13 years and older. Simply answer (in 250 words or less) the following question, “Create a Top Ten List of the ten reasons you should get this scholarship.”
Online applications and complete contest rules can be found at http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx
The deadline to apply is February 2nd, 2008 at 11:59pm EST. Don’t Delay, Apply Today!
For questions about the scholarship program, or for information on how to receive free materials for your Phi Theta Kappa meetings/orientations, please contact Tamara Krause at tamara@schoalrshipexperts.com or call (904) 854-6750 x13.
Good Luck and Happy Holidays!
Tamara Krause
2006 Guistwhite Scholar
Upsilon Eta Chapter Alumnus
Psi Eta Increases Public Awareness and Understanding
On October 25 Psi Eta Chapter hosted a showing of the film, 30 Days: AS a Muslim, followed by a discussion panel. Our goal was to increase public awareness and tolerance of the Islamic Religion thus increasing understanding of the dynamics of power through religion. We had hoped to reach up to 100 people. The results exceeded our “best-case” expectations.
After almost a year of dealing with the legalities and copy rights, our chapter was almost ready to throw in the towel. One obstacle after another diminished our morale and expectations. Our Vice President of Fellowship, however, became the epitome perseverance. She continually contacted the studios and press agents until we received the copyright to show the film. We had invited representatives from a local Mosque, but they had conflicting commitments. As the day approached, the event seemed doomed.
The officer team refused to let the opportunity slip. Ideas circulated in September about how we could get the word out. Thoughts ranged between a newspaper article, to inviting the various instructional departments and their classes. In early October, the idea was presented to have multiple showings on the same day, allowing a wider group to view the show. During the three showings, over 160 people attended, including professors and their classes who incorporated the show into their course discussions, deans and administrators, including Dr. Carol Brown, Eastfield College President. At each showing, a panel of Islamic scholars answered questions and led discussions. The discussion sessions ran over the allotted time after each showing. The students and faculty were eager to learn and asked intelligent and insightful questions. For a controversial topic the conversation seemed peaceful until the end of the second showing.
After the second showing, one attendee became agitated and engaged in a heated discussion with the panelist and a few Muslim students. The officer team tried to disperse the argument and calm the situation. After a few mild threats from the participant, campus police escorted him from the room. Psi Eta’s officer team demonstrated professionalism and prepared for the next show. When the situation returned to normal, they offered the panelists a chance to take a break or, to avoid the chance of another disturbance, to cancel the next Q and A session. The guests regrouped and agreed to finish the day. The last showing had the largest attendance more than 80 people including the Phi Theta Kappa members from other chapters, the college president, students, parents of students, and at their insistence, campus police officers.
We allowed all viewers to provide feedback about the event through a questionnaire. Every response contained compliments for the Psi Eta officer team and their work. Whether viewers agreed with the opinions from the film or the panelists, the professionalism and open scholarship format in which the event was offered left a favorable impression on the campus and greater community.
Through hard work and perseverance, Psi Eta’s officers and advisors embodied the very spirit of our noble honor society: Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Fellowship, the foundations of Phi Theta Kappa.
Richard Brand
President
Psi Eta
Eastfield College
District II