Midland College Podcast Releases Four-Part Series on COVID-19September 03, 2021

Called to action: Midland College (MC) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society students are releasing four new podcasts centered around the COVID-19 pandemic in the Midland community. 

“There is a plethora of information out there about COVID-19, but we decided to do some investigation with experts on our own,” PTK member, MC student and Early College High School student, Caleb Goillandeau said. “We learned a lot by just turning to experts on our campus and in our community. We are excited to share this timely information.”

The four episodes of “PTK Perspectives” include: 

1.    An Interview with Miranda Poage, MC Dean, Math & Science: “A Basic Overview of Viruses and How They Work”

2.    An Interview with Val Sparks, Registered Nurse, Certified Infection Control Preventionist, Midland Health: “Everything Vaccines and the State of Midland Health”

3.    An Interview with Carmen Edwards, Dean Health Sciences Division and Head of the MC COVID-19 Response Team: “How MC is Keeping Cases Down on Campus” 

4.    An Interview with Dr. Steve Thomas, MC College President: “Living with COVID-19 on Campus” 

“One of the best things you can do is act like you do have it,” Miranda Poage said. “Even though you don’t show the symptoms of having it, just imagine that you’re passing it to a loved one. Imagine you can pass it to your best friend. Take precautions like you are infected: wear your mask, try to stay away from people. Everyone longs for our environment to be more normal. Unless we do things now to prevent this continuous spread even if you don’t think you will get sick, one day there might be a variant that might cause you to be ill. If we continue to let the virus evolve then that’s going to happen.”

“The majority of our patients in the hospital are not vaccinated so they had full exposure and now they are sick.” Val Sparks, Registered Nurse, Certified Infection Control Preventionist, Midland Health said.

People can download and listen to these podcasts wherever they get their favorite episodes and stories! Just search “PTK Perspectives.”

“PTK Perspectives” is a podcast by students, for students that explores starting an education, striving towards success and navigating the ups and downs of being a student. The podcast is part of PTK’s “College Project,” an annual challenge outlined by the national PTK organization. It encourages students to engage in opportunities to give back on their college campuses.

PTK is the international honor society for two-year colleges. It recognizes and encourages scholarship by providing opportunities for leadership development and service. 

MC students must have a 3.5 GPA and a minimum 12 hours towards an associate degree to become members. Typically, 300 MC students meet these eligibility requirements. Benefits include recognition at commencement with regalia, the seal of PTK placed on students’ college diploma and notation of membership on students’ college transcript. PTK members also have access to $48 million in scholarships — $1 million in competitive scholarships through the PTK Foundation and more than $46 million in transfer scholarships to over 850 four-year colleges. 

MC’s chapter is continually recognized nationally and internationally. The chapter was named a 2021 REACH Chapter for excelling in membership development, and this past April, PTK International named the Midland College chapter as one of the top 100 chapters worldwide.  They are also one of the top 10 chapters in Texas.