May 21, 2026

Phi Theta Kappa chapters, advisors and student members on East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle and Scooba campuses were recognized during Phi Theta Kappa’s Mississippi/Louisiana Spring Regional Awards at Mississippi State University.

The Eta Upsilon chapter on the college’s Scooba campus earned a Five Star Chapter designation by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, which marks the highest level of achievement by a PTK chapter. The chapter was also named a REACH chapter for excelling in membership development.

The PTK chapter on the Scooba campus also garnered a Hallmark Honors in Action Study Topic Theme Award for essays highlighting people from the rural community of Scooba who established successful careers. 

“We had a great group of Phi Theta Kappa students this year, and I am proud of what they have accomplished,” said Derrick Conner, who serves as a PTK advisor for the Scooba campus, along with Shannon Pendergrass.

Conner and Pendergrass were named MS/LA Horizon Advisor Award recipients for serving the region well.

The Beta Iota Zeta chapter of PTK on EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus earned a Regional Hallmark Award for an Honors in Action project for a 2,400-word essay on nontraditional EMCC nursing students and the challenges they overcame, often while juggling families and a rigorous courseload.

The Golden Triangle chapter also earned a Distinguished Theme Award for Theme 6: Stories of Persistence, Resilience, Healing, and Sorrow.

“Our Phi Theta Kappa members have done a phenomenal job this year,” Golden Triangle campus PTK advisor Brian Tesch said. “This group has been very involved in activities and proactive in taking on tasks to better the college experience for everyone on campus.”

Four EMCC students were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team. Nominations are based on academic performance and service to the college and community.

Team members from the Scooba campus are Miller Blaylock and Brendan Meacham. Members from the Golden Triangle campus are Emma Morgan and Linden Stelioes-Wills.

The highest scoring nominee from each of the state’s 15 two-year colleges is named to the All-Mississippi First Team. Morgan, a Flora native who resides in Starkville, was selected as EMCC’s First Team representative.

In February, Morgan was selected as a 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholar. Thousands of students apply for the prestigious $5,000 scholarship typically awarded to 20 recipients nationwide each year. Guistwhite Scholars are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership accomplishment, and engagement in Phi Theta Kappa programs.

“The scholarship helps take the pressure off since that is less money I will have to pay out in loans,” said Morgan, who plans to continue her studies at a university to earn a bachelor’s degree before applying to medical school.

For the Order of the Golden Key, chapter advisors recognize a chapter member who embodies the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. Aaron Thompson was named the 2026 Order of the Golden Key recipient for the Golden Triangle campus’ PTK chapter, while Jeremiah Linebarker garnered the award for the Scooba campus.

Thompson, who graduated from EMCC earlier this month, plans to study marketing at Mississippi State University. He said he enjoyed his time with PTK.

“Phi Theta Kappa has been a great experience,” Thompson said. “I would recommend it to anybody.”

Linebarker of New Hope  is studying nursing on EMCC’s Scooba campus.

Blaylock received a PTK Presidential Scholarship to attend Mississippi State University. She intends to pursue a master’s degree as an astronautical engineer.

“I’ve wanted to be an engineer since I was in fifth grade,” Blaylock said. “My goal is to eventually work for NASA.”

Meachum, who hails from Bailey in Lauderdale County, was named an Outstanding Honors Leadership student in April.

Stelioes-Wills, a civil engineering major who graduated from EMCC in May, plans to earn a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University.  He said he is grateful for his time in PTK.

“My experience with Phi Theta Kappa has been incredibly fulfilling,” Stelioes-Wills said. “It has taught me the value of looking past my own selfish desires and being the one to help others. Phi Theta Kappa has also taught me a lot of skills, such as public speaking, teamwork, and communication.”