For more information, contact Stephannie Goerl, 620-792-9261.

January 14, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

Two Barton Community College students will join other Kansas community college scholars on Feb. 18 in Topeka to be honored for their scholastic achievement.

Barton sophomores Ethan Deckert, Larned, and Hannah Voelker, Linn, are among 49 community college students named to the 2010 All-Kansas Academic Team, sponsored by the international headquarters of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees and the Kansas Council of Community College Presidents.

Each scholar was selected by his or her own community college for the statewide academic team, and each also is a nominee for the 2010 All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Deckert is a pre-medicine major at Barton with a 4.0 grade point average. He serves as vice president of Barton’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. He also is president of Student Senate and is a member of the men’s tennis team.

He was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges” and is a volunteer for America’s Promise. He is the son of Richard and Andrea Deckert, Larned.

Voelker is an early childhood/business major. She has a grade point average of 3.81 and plans to complete her bachelor’s degree at Emporia State University. She serves as co-publicity chair for Barton’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter and has participated in the chapter’s food drive for the local food bank and other projects.

She also is active in Barton’s Community Student Organization as publicity chair. She participated in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters toy drive and was named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.” She is the daughter of David and Lisa Voelker, Linn.

Planned to coincide with February's Kansas Board of Regents meeting, the luncheon honoring these scholars will take place at the Ramada Inn Hotel in Topeka.

The application process for the All-Kansas Academic Team is a tedious one involving several pages of questions and essays, said Stephannie Goerl, Barton’s PTK adviser. Only two students from each college can be selected.

Based in Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa has become the largest and the most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges around the world. Membership is based on a grade point average of 3.5 or better.

Ethan Deckert

Hannah Voelker