Midland College Honor Society Raises Money & Delivers Boxed Lunches & Gift Cards to Midland Health Employees Directly Dealing with COVID-19 PatientsSeptember 09, 2021

Midland College (MC) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society students are gathering up support for Midland Health Employees directly dealing with COVID-19 patients. 

“Three of the chapter officers, including me, are Emergency Medical Scribes at the hospital and see first-hand how the staff is working around the clock to deal with the crisis,” Marisol Tarin, PTK Vice President of Service and MC student said. “Even more of our members have family who work at Midland Heath, and they know the toll the virus is taking on their loved ones. I hope this fundraiser can show the medical staff our appreciation for their service during this pandemic.”  

The PTK students started a fundraiser at the end of August with the goal of supplying 110 Midland Health employees with boxed lunches. Students, faculty and staff answered the call raising more than $ 1,880! Jason’s Deli is partnering with special pricing, so the students are able to use the extra money to purchase $10 gift cards to Starbucks to help keep Midland Health employees going.    

“We were blown away by the generosity of MC’s students, faculty and staff,” MC Government professor and PTK advisor Dr. Terry Gilmour said. “I am so proud of these students for thinking beyond themselves and beyond the campus to help the community in such a time of need. Nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists and all health care workers deserve a huge thanks for all they have endured during this pandemic.” 

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 toward 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.