Top Academic Students Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa

The Theta Iota Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa is celebrating its 60^th year, and the milestone kicked off Thursday, March 1, with an induction into the honor society at Snead State Community College.

Judge Tim Riley

Student success was the focus of the very special ceremony as President Dr. Robert Exley and Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Tim Riley addressed the inductees and their families.

“I want to commend the family and friends here tonight. The students could not have the success they have without your support. Support is critical. Education can change lives. Anything’s possible,” said Dr. Exley, who also shared his own experience as a self-proclaimed “mediocre” student and the positive influence Phi Theta Kappa had on his own education and professional career.

“Whatever your background, don’t limit your future. I am proud of each one of you. You can now be considered a scholar,” Dr. Exley added.

Judge Riley also described his time as a student as “average.” He stayed involved in high school through athletics, but once he graduated from Albertville High School in 1974, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy because he was “not ready for college.”

“Growing up, my family owned a feed mill in Boaz, and after working in the feed mill, I knew I didn’t want to do that the rest of my life. After I served my time in the Navy, I went into the reserves and came to Snead along with my best friend. My wife also attended.”

While at Snead, Judge Riley was inducted into PTK, and the ceremony took place then in the same building in which the current induction took place, a building now known as the McCain Student Success and Career Center. After completing his Associate degree, he received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama. Doors of opportunity continued to open for him until he eventually completed law school and began his career as a lawyer and a judge.

Judge Riley described to the inductees about the different types of dreams they would have in their lives, but to achieve any dream would take hard work.

“I never knew how hard studying would be. I knew it would not be easy, but hard work pays off. College will get harder the farther you go, but it’s more fun. And you’ll have a chance to change your life and your community for the better,” said Judge Riley.



As part of the ceremony, Director of Campus Engagement Brittany Wilborn presented a Good As Gold Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship on behalf of Athens State University. The scholarship was awarded to Wynn Dunn.

Leading the induction ceremony were this year’s PTK Officers, President Hannah Jimmerson of Boaz, Vice President of Leadership Colton Campbell of Albertville, Vice President of Service Heather Duren of Crossville, Vice President of Scholarship Zach Fraiser of Crossville, Vice President of Fellowship Seth Harbison of Arab, Recording Officer Katie Campbell of Sardis, and Public Relations Officer Jacie Scott of Boaz.

The March inductees into Phi Theta Kappa included:

Albertville

Delia Guevara, Logan Jolley, Emannuel Morales-Ramirez, Yadira Patino, Jennifer Sewell, Torrea Talton, and Andrea Woodham.

Arab

Lindsey Elrod, Erin Kelley, and Brittany Fritz.

Attalla

Kayla Baker.

Blountsville

Amanda Stewart.

Boaz

Lenze Alexander, Wynn Dunn, Dawanna Hudgins, Brady Keel, Jonathon Walden Jr.,  Brooke Word, and Erica Benefield.

Collinsville

Johnathan Bradford.

Crossville

Kayla Centers, Martin Howard, and Sojila Francisco.

Cullman

Kayla Shaddix.

Douglas

Jessica Goss.

Florence

Elizabeth Humphrey.

Fort Payne

Katie Bobo.

Geraldine

Jordan Luther.

Grant

Miriam Cooper and Jennifer Thomas.

Guntersville

Christopher Raynor and Chera Whitney.

Holly Pond

Kelsey Hawkins.

Horton

Leah Miller.

Moulton
Jacy Williams.

Oakman

Morgan Walton.

Oneonta

Cinthia Zavala.

Rainsville

Alexandria Poole.

Sardis

Brianna Pullen.

Sheffield

Kara Kerr.

Susan Moore

Kayla Waddle.