Psi Theta Kappa Honors Society (PTK) held the 2026 Heartland Regional Convention at Johnson County Community College, Friday, Feb 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22. Butler Community College’s (Butler CC) Alpha Phi Alpha chapter advisor, alumni and members attended, presented and received multiple awards for their accomplishments, contributions and talent over the last year.
If you are one of the top 10 academic students who have been invited to connect with this organization, the regional convention is a gathering that highlights a multitude of benefits for accepting.
Fellowship being a hallmark of the PTK, chapter representatives began the event Friday with the “Channing Bear Competition”, an introduction to the club and one of eight themes connected to the coming years international focus of “What’s Next? Imagining the Future” by singing, chanting or acting out a skit. The members favorite got to bring the little “Channing Bear” mascot into their club's care for the coming year.
Having introduced themselves to each other and theoretically remedying future conflicts in the world, The Heartland Region members, which consists of 60+ community college colleges from Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, were introduced to regional officer candidates and dozens of universities across the tri-state area. Each of these universities offered scholarships and opportunities to PTK members that far surpassed the chapter membership fee, like Nebraska Wesleyan’s automatic $29k offer with direct admission.
The day ended with motivational magician Devin Henderson demonstrating “What Else is Possible” and the whole group at ‘The Main Event’ for food, fun and connecting through game time together.
“The experience is the number one thing” said Het Patel, president of Butler’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter.
The second day was filled with breakout groups to choose from that focused on many topics including the other 3 PTK hallmarks of leadership, scholarships, service as well as one of the annual activities, ”The College Project.”
PTK.org explains that the College Project can be “anything that supports the mission of your college and generates positive changes on your campus”.
This is an opportunity to work directly with local administration to fulfill the mission or goals of the school and develop a deeper relationship between the chapter and the college it is a part of.
Those of you who have enjoyed the walking path from the Villa’s to Butler’s CC El Dorado campus can enjoy your safe steps thanks to one “College Project” not so long ago that was honored in the top 50 by PTK nationally.
Butler’s PTK group worked successfully with the administration, staff, facilities and former students to create the path together to improve things. Every PTK group around the country sets out to do the same for their school, so they are making a great impact.
Chrissy Gifford, PTK advisor, recalled the elation and energy as projects like that path and the weeklong mental health awareness and prevention project that another of her groups organized for their project.
“With PTK, the more you put in, the more you get out,” Gifford said. “Every one of those members made an impact that is still benefiting themself and everyone in this community.”
The evening provided an opportunity for members to put the work aside to dress their best, eat a delicious meal, receive their awards and recognition then to celebrate with dancing and game time!
The Butler group received awards in five categories, including another College Project and recognition as a “Five-Star Club”. Members Brent Tersol and Fay Belair won for creative and research writing, respectively. Belair also won three awards for the visual arts categories of ceramics, drawing and photography.
If you are invited to join, have a helpful idea for a “College Project” for Butler’s campus or are curious to find out more about this dynamic honors club, contact Advisor Chrissy Gifford at cgifford1@butlercc.edu.