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Alumni News |
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Congratulations to
Nicholas Reich,
Past District 2 Vice-President |
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Nicholas Tyler Reich, a member of the Lambda
Epsilon Chapter at Bevill State Community College (Jasper Campus) and
former Alabama Regional Officer, was selected to receive the
Nota Bene Citation Scholarship of $1000 for the best entries of
2012. Nick’s "Body of Work," including Bad News, Boston, Getting Older, The Table, and Things Change, were chosen from 809 entries for the scholarship and publication in the anthology, along with 17 other exceptional entries from Phi Theta Kappa members throughout the Society. Dr. Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa and Founding Editor of Nota Bene, said, "Taking its name from the Latin expression "note well," Nota Bene was first published in 1994 to showcase exceptional work by Phi Theta Kappa members and to promote the ideal of excellence in writing. The anthology is now distributed to more than 1,280 libraries nationwide and abroad, carrying its banner of literary excellence to an ever-increasing audience. "At a time when excellent writing skills are critically needed, Phi Theta Kappa is proud to provide a platform to nurture creative writing and effective communication. Nota Bene showcases outstanding writing by community college students and emphasizes the opportunities for excellence found at community colleges," said Dr. Risley. "Our Nota Bene competition is an outstanding example of Phi Theta Kappa’s success in efffectively engaging students, which promotes retention and encourages college completion. We are very proud of Nicholas's recognition for some of the best entries in this year's international publication." Nick attends the University of Alabama at Birmingham on scholarship, and is majoring in English. |
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For those who know Phi Theta Kappa Alabama District Two Vice-President Nicholas Reich, it comes as no surprise that he was recently awarded the Citation Scholarship for his body of work submitted to Nota Bene. Nick, however, has a different take on it. "One year later, what I submitted had been forgotten, buried in my subconscious. I find it interesting that Nota Bene wanted to publish them. It is a little scary. People may read them and think they are elementary. It is interesting that they [Nota Bene] feel others would want to read them." Nick is currently enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham majoring in English. When asked what the future holds for his writing, Nick says that he plans to attempt publication again while at UAB and hopes to gain more experience with editing and refining. Nick feels that his travels as District Two Vice-President definitely benefitted his writing. "It is good to know there are other places. I have to remind myself that reality extends beyond where I live. I know that sounds cliché, but clichés hold a certain amount of truth" One trip that definitely benefitted Nick’s writing is his journey to Boston to attend the 2011 Phi Theta Kappa Honors in Action Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. It was while attending the workshop that the inspiration for his work, Boston, struck. "I was learning the city's history through tours and thinking about how we form our lives on the base that has already been built by all these prominent figures, the inescapable nature, and how difficult it is to form a new path. Boston is about not wanting to get bogged down by history, I think, although it probably reads like I’m embracing history." Nick remains active in the Lambda Epsilon chapter at Bevill State Community College in Jasper where he was once President. In addition to staying in close contact with Chapter Advisor Michelle Anderson, Nick has met with College President Dr. Anne McNutt and current Lambda Epsilon President Le Nguyen to help determine where the Project SHARE funds the chapter is responsible for distributing will go. He has also helped with the Better World Book drives the chapter holds, occasionally attends chapter meetings, and will be the guest speaker for Lambda Epsilon’s Spring Formal Induction Ceremony. It is no wonder when asked if he misses Phi Theta Kappa that Nick laughed and said, "I never left!" He added, "Hopefully Phi Beta Kappa is in my near future." Congratulations Nicholas Reich on receiving the 2012 Citation Scholarship! |
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Phi Theta Kappa Alumnus Wes Moore Appears on Phi Theta Kappa Alumnus Wes Moore will appear on the cover of the August 29 issue of Time Magazine as a representative of the new "greatest generation" of young war veterans. Moore recently was a guest on Hardball with Chris Matthews to discuss the article and how military service affects soldier's lives when they become civilians. Watch the segment here. Time's article discusses how veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are returning to civilian life and are assuming significant leadership roles at home as a result of their military experience. "We all share a common bond ... some of the most organized, hard-charging, efficient, compassionate people that I have ever met in my life are fellow vets," Moore says in a video focusing on the five cover story subjects. Watch the video here. According to the video, Moore, a best-selling author and youth advocate, is scheduled to become an NBC contributor. He also appeared on Morning Joe. In the article, Moore says the military literally changed his life. Sent to Valley Forge Military College as a rebellious teenager, he became a member of Phi Theta Kappa, took the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies course, and was company commander. Moore graduated from Johns Hopkins University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. As a Captain in the U. S. Army, he served a combat tour of duty in Afgahistan with the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division in 2005-2006. Following his service, Moore was chosen as a White House Fellow and was a Special Assistant to then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. His book, The Other Wes Moore, tells the story of two young men with the same name and background, and examines why they took different paths - Phi Theta Kappa's Wes Moore's success is contrasted with the other Wes Moore, serving a life sentence for murder. Formerly with Citibank, Moore is now developing educational-technology products for Oprah Winfrey, according to Time. He has served as a Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention speaker and panelist, and as a speaker for the Honors Institute. He is a Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Trustee. The Times article tells of Moore's mentoring for first-time younf offenders in Baltimore and his career as a motivational speaker for high school students. The sense of accomplishment and training provided by the miltiary led him to a career of public service, he says in the article. "I came back a stronger person, a person really able to contribute to society, in many ways even more than I was prior to by deployment," Moore says in the video. "Wes is an amazing person, whose life story effectively illustrates teh value of completing an education and setting goals for success," said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Dr. Rod Risley. "He has become a role model not only to disadvantaged young people, but to so many of our Phi Theta Kappa members." |
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Phi Theta Kappa Alum Studies in Thailand In 2009, David graduated from Snead State Community College with an Associate's Degree in Business. He was the president of Theta Iota, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Snead State in Boaz, AL, and a recipient of the 2009 All-Alabama Academic Team award. He received a Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship to attend Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) where he will complete his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration this summer. David's last course will be completed in a study abroad program at Payap University located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This incredible opportunity is the result of two very generous scholarships. David was awarded the Gilman Scholarship from the US Department of State and a Sklenar Center scholarship from his home college. When asked about the role Phi Theta Kappa played in his college choice, David says "I first visited BSC when they hosted a Phi Theta Kappa honor's symposium. I knew the college was the kind of prestigious college I wanted to attend, and I haven't been disappointed." Now David is in Thailand as a direct result of his Phi Theta Kappa scholarship to Birmingham-Southern and BSC's generous scholarship to study abroad. While in Thailand David is blogging about his experiences. You can follow David's blog at http://web.me.com/dmhunter.jr/Thailand/Blog/Blog.html
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2011 Ms. Wheelchair Alabama |
Athens, AL - Shannon Roberts, a senior majoring in psychology at Athens State University, was crowned the 2011 Ms. Wheelchair Alabama at the annual pageant Saturday in Birmingham. The outgoing Ms. Wheelchair Alabama was Joanne Pearson, also an Athens State University student. In the exciting ceremony, Pearson was able to crown her own fellow student. |
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© 2013 Phi Theta Kappa |
Phi Theta Kappa Alabama Region |
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