Kilgore College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Gamma Omicron, earned statewide and national recognition this spring, collecting 37 awards at the 2026 Texas Regional Convention and adding multiple honors at the PTK National Conference.
At the Texas Regional PTK Convention, held March 5-7 in Fort Worth, KC’s chapter was named a Texas Five Star Chapter and earned the prestigious Texas Top Chapter award for the first time since 1990.
KC students led the way with numerous honors, including first place in the membership poster competition and 10 Distinguished Officer Team awards, along with 10 Officer Hall of Honor selections. The chapter earned the Campus Impact Award, Excellence in Research and Action Award, and College Project Award of Merit, as well as recognition for its Honors in Action project, which included literacy outreach efforts in the community.
Individual student recognitions included Katelynn Lewis being named Distinguished Member and Natalie Wade receiving the Outstanding Friend of Texas award. Two students also completed the Advocacy Edge program, which focuses on leadership and civic engagement.
Advisers Lori Solley and Curtis Ivory were also recognized, earning two Texas Horizon Awards and three Distinguished Advisor Team Awards.
KC continued its success at the PTK National Conference, held March 26-28 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Students again earned top honors at the national level, with the KC officer team named Most Distinguished Officer Team, placing among the top 32 in the nation. Lewis also received national recognition as a Distinguished Member.
Gamma Omicron was ranked among the top 100 chapters out of 1,163 nationwide and recognized as a Distinguished Chapter, placing in the top 36 overall based on its academic and service projects.
Solley also earned the Paragon Award for New Advisors, given to 20 advisers nationwide.
PTK is the premier honor society for two-year colleges, recognizing academic achievement and providing opportunities for leadership, scholarship and service.
More information about KC’s PTK chapter is available at www.kilgore.edu/ptk.