GRAPEVINE, Texas – Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Phi ThetaKappa chapter was named Most Distinguished Chapter in the Worldduring the organization’s 87th annual international convention,held last weekend.

Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society that recognizes and promotesacademic achievement at two-year colleges, has 1,2000 chapters inthe United States and around the world.

“We are extremely proud and thrilled with this award,” saidCo-Lin President Dr. Howell Garner. “The enhancement the Eta OmegaChapter brings to the college and our community isoverwhelming.”

Eta Omega President Karen Wallace-Freeman, of Bogue Chitto,echoed Garner’s sentiments.

“Winning number one chapter in the world was an overwhelmingexperience,” she said. “With all of the hard work from advisers,officers and members, we have accomplished our ultimate goal.”

The Eta Omega Chapter also received the Service Hallmark Award,Fellowship Hallmark Award and the Leadership Hallmark Award. Only10 Hallmark Awards are given out each year. This year, nearly 500chapters competed for the Society’s most coveted awards.

The Hallmark Awards Program is the society’s capstone awardscompetition annually, recognizing excellence in programs thatpromote the Phi Theta Kappa’s hallmarks of scholarship, leadership,service and fellowship.

This is the second time Co-Lin’s Eta Omega chapter has beennamed Most Distinguished Chapter in the world; the first was in1989. It is the only chapter in Mississippi to receive thisdistinction.

“This honor is the culmination of a year of hard work anddedication from each officer and member. God has truly blessed ourchapter and we praise him for this prestigious award,” said ToddSullivan, Eta Omega’s vice president for service.

This year’s convention speakers included former New York CityMayor Rudolph Giuliani, entertainer Patti LaBelle and figure skaterMichael Weiss.

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is based primarily upon academicachievement. The organization offers myriad opportunities forscholarships, intellectual enrichment and personal developmentthrough programs based on the society’s hallmarks.

Serving as Eta Omega officers for 2004-2005 are Wallace-Freeman,of Bogue Chitto, president; Chris Collins, of Brookhaven, vicepresident for leadership; Rachel McKinney, of Union Church, vicepresident of fellowship; Todd Sullivan, of Mendenhall, vicepresident of service; Megan Russell, of Brookhaven, vice presidentof communications; and Dara Moak, of Wesson, vice president ofpublicity and membership.

Also attending the convention were Laura Smith, Corey Hart, andRebecca Smith, all of Brookhaven, and Jamie Hillman, of Wesson.

Advisers for the Eta Omega Chapter are Lea Ann Knight, NeishaLeggett and Randy Castilaw.