01
Apr 2014
Greenville Technical College?s Alpha Zeta Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society received a record-breaking 15 awards and recognitions during the Carolinas Region Hallmark Awards Convention, held March 14-16 in Charleston, S.C. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges that promotes leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service. Alpha Zeta Sigma completed two annual research/service projects that benefited Greenville Technical College and the community, in addition to participating in a biannual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Georgia Road in Simpsonville, a biannual school supplies drive, and the Reedy River Sweep. Awards included the Distinguished Chapter Honorable Mention, Five Star Chapter Plan Award, Distinguished Honors in Action Project, Distinguished College Project Honorable Mention, Best Website, Carolinas Region Super Stars Award, Yearbook Award Honorable Mention, Carolinas Region Service Award Honorable Mention, Award of Excellence for Outstanding Participation in the Carolinas Region Honors in Action Program, and Award of Excellence for Outstanding Participation in the Carolinas Region Service Program. Student and chapter president Caroline France was given an award of recognition for Distinguished Chapter Officer. She also received a Carolinas Region Hall of Honors Award. Professor Anita Tam received the Paragon Award for New Advisors and also a Horizon Award. The entire team received numerous accolades for Distinguished Honors in Action Theme 6: Competition and Food. The Greenville Technical College chapter conducted research on community gardens and the benefits of adding fresh produce to the diet, the benefits of drinking water, and importance of exercise for college students. They implemented four programs: Water Wednesdays, Fitness Fridays, Synergy Garden Sundays, and conducted Campus-wide Food Surveys. Water Wednesdays encouraged students to drink water over soft drinks during the summer months. Students distributed water while acting as campus ambassadors, promoting fitness events in the area, and giving information on tutoring services on campus. Fitness Fridays were free fitness events for students on campus, including hikes to Jones Gap State Park and Paris Mountain, yoga, and urban crawls. Synergy Garden Sundays in collaboration with the Center for Community Services and the Golden Strip Emergency Relief & Resource Agency?s food bank in Simpsonville, provided fresh produce to people in need. Greenville Technical College volunteers worked in Synergy Garden on Sunday evenings throughout the summer and fall. The campus-wide food surveys collaborated with the sales team from Coca-Cola to determine student beverage, snack, and meal preferences. This year, Alpha Zeta Sigma will pursue service projects based on exploring the natural environment.