Halifax Community College welcomed 24 new members into its Alpha Eta Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society during a recent spring semester induction ceremony.

The event held earlier this month was dedicated to the memory of HCC’s late President Michael Elam.

HCC students who took the oath while holding a lit candle, the flame symbolizing knowledge, were:

Taniyah M. Alston, Jenelle P. Baker, Zaniya G. Battle, Macylia I. Branch-Turner, Bailey L. Grissom, Hailey T. Harrison, Mia G. Huett, Kasia A. Jarrell, Makayla A. McNair, Jaheim S. Moody, Kayla M. Moseley, Cameron R. Moseley, Brianna M. O’Neal, Micaela N. Olivarez, Britney S. Pittard, Aniya S. Pittman, Nijiah A. Reed, Joslynn M. Smith, Arafat Qasem, Austin K. Vu, Kloey N. Walker, Brianna S. Webb, Hailey M. Whitby, and Jake S. Wynne.

HCC student and PTK member Ethan Rountree began the ceremony with a warm welcome.

David Forester, acting HCC president and vice-president of administrative services/CFO, followed with a poetry reading of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken.

HCC student and PTK member Brianna McKoy introduced Timothy Mitchell, a social worker at the Northampton County Department of Social Services, as the keynote speaker. 

In 2021, Mitchell graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Chowan University.

Mitchell, a former HCC student and PTK member, shared that he is originally from Rich Square and decided to enter the workforce after graduating from Northampton County High School – East.

After working as a jailer at the Northampton County Detention Center for several years, Mitchell enrolled at HCC to pursue an Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration.

“I credit my academic success at HCC to developing a strong work ethic, working with supportive faculty and staff members, and surrounding myself with a few great friends,” he said.

Mitchell concluded his speech by encouraging PTK’s inductees to supplement their education with internships and job shadowing opportunities, additional reading materials and advice from trusted mentors.

“We are so proud of Mr. Mitchell, and thank him for continuing to support PTK’s community service projects in Halifax and Northampton counties,” said Gary R. Redding, English and criminal justice instructor, after Mitchell’s remarks.