October 29, 2025

East Mississippi Community College hosted an induction ceremony for the Golden Triangle campus’ chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the Lyceum Auditorium.

During the ceremony, new members of the Beta Iota Zeta chapter of PTK were formally inducted. To qualify, the students must have maintained a GPA of 3.25 or higher with at least 12 completed college credit hours.

The ceremony included symbolic candle lighting and the signing of the chapter register, marking the students’ official entry into the prestigious honor society.

Beta Iota Zeta advisors Scott Baine and Dr. Brian Tesch conducted the ceremony, along with newly commissioned officers of the PTK chapter, who were also inducted during the ceremony.

The new Beta Iota Zeta chapter officers are Linden Stelioes-Wills, president; Brayden Shields, vice president of leadership; James "Aaron" Thompson, vice president of fellowship; and Emma Morgan, vice president of service.

The guest speaker was Dr. John Dickerson, associate vice president for enrollment at Mississippi State University.

During the ceremony, Baine and Tesch recognized Dickerson, EMCC Dean of Students LeAnn Alexander, Director of Nursing Programs/Associate Dean of Health Sciences Jamonicia Johnson and District Director of Facilities Planning and Management Kyle Younger for their support of the PTK chapter.

Alexander and Johnson were presented with blue PTK Stoles of Gratitude, while Dickerson was presented with a PTK alumni medallion. Younger, who has three children serve in the Golden Triangle campus chapter of PTK, some as officers, was named an honorary member of Beta Iota Zeta.

“We have never in the history of this chapter granted an honorary membership that I know of,” Baine said. “Kyle has been really helpful for our upcoming college project.”

The Beta Iota Zeta inductees are Hannah Albert, Phoebe Baine, Sammiyah Burroughs, Taniya Carpenter, Robert Culwell, James “Mason” Davis, Artashia Gates, Shakeia Hamilton, Charlie Henderson, Kerri Howard, Hailley Ingram, Amber Ivy, Sarah “Graciana” Kennedy, Hirut Kidane, Johnathan Martinez, Keona Montague, Tykebrea Nelson, Shania Parr, Coby Pearson, Cole Robinson, Ermid Rosas, Faith Salter, Jabari Sherrod and Jasmine Woods. Three provisional members were also inducted. They are Shkara Bush, Gene “Rowe” Gillis and Isabelle Padron.

The Beta Iota Zeta chapter also holds the office of secretary of the Mississippi/Louisiana (MS/LA) Region of Phi Theta Kappa. Stelioes-Wills is serving in the secretary role for the chapter and was presented with a PTK regional officer’s medallion.

Baine has been elected to serve on the Advisory Board for the Mississippi-Louisiana Region of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“The MS/LA Region is a nationally recognized, highly competitive family of fifty chapters representing thirty institutions in our two states,” PTK Regional Coordinator Dr. Ryan Ruckel wrote in a letter to EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks announcing Baine’s selection. “Our 130 advisors who guide our 5,000 student members have selected Mr. Baine as their trusted representative.”

Recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society for two-year colleges. PTK’s mission is to recognize and support the academic achievement of community college students and to help them develop into scholars and leaders.

For more information about the Beta Iota Zeta chapter of PTK, email Baine at abaine@eastms.edu.