This week, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) issued a press release announcing recently appointing Lone Star College-Cyfair (LSC-CF) student Liam Blakeway to its board of directors. Blakeway is three months into his role as PTK’s international president for the 2023-2024 academic year, an office to which he was elected at the two-year institution international honor society’s most recent annual convention that was held in Columbus, Ohio.
“My journey and growth with Phi Theta Kappa has been profoundly impactful,” Blakeway said in the release. “I am honored to serve an organization that deeply values its members and works to create an environment of supportive camaraderie.”
According to the release issued by PTK on July 17, the Board of Directors acts as the organization’s governing body to ensure college students’ academic excellence is shown in all its programs and endeavors. Per PTK, Blakeway, who emigrated from South Africa, served in a pair of leadership roles as a member of LSC-CF’s Beta Lambda Mu before deciding to vie for the international presidency. The release said he graduated with an associate degree in May, but has since re-enrolled.
Citing Houston CW affiliate KIAH, Houston Daily reported Blakeway was inspired to run while attending PTK’s 2022 Catalyst Convention in Denver. He recalled to KIAH how his mentors encouraged him to aim higher beyond the chapter level, a decision that has paid off, the publication reported. As international president, Blakeway will work closely with PTK President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner through next April, per KIAH.
The station reported that the 2024 Catalyst Convention will take place at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. PTK said that Blakeway initially had his mind set on a career as a radiology technician only to shift toward education as he matriculated at LSC-CF. The international presidency is the highest position available to any PTK member, per the release. Founded in 1918 and headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, PTK boasts a membership of more than 3.5 million, with about 1,300 chapters in 10 countries, Houston Daily reported. Per the publication, students must have 12 hours of coursework as a part of an associate degree program, six hours toward a one-year certificate or a dozen toward a bachelor’s degree, as well as maintain at least a 3.7 grade point average (GPA) in order to join.