Landmark College Inducts 21 Students Into International Honor Societies

Students newly inducted into Beta Alpha Epsilon, Landmark College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, are now part of an international award-winning chapter.

At an induction ceremony for Phi Theta Kappa and Golden Key, Karrie Kalich, the College’s vice president for academic affairs, said in opening remarks that Landmark’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was named a winner of the PTK Honors Study Case Challenge. 

Landmark College’s chapter was among four winners chosen from over 3,000 chapters around the world. Its project is titled, “Once Upon a System: How Fables, Folklore, and Fairytales Encode Culture and Power Pop Culture.” 

“We are presenting our work at an upcoming regional conference and look forward to our project supporting the greater Putney and Brattleboro region,” Kalich said.

On the Friday of Fall Family Weekend, the College inducted a total of 21 undergraduate students into Golden Key and Phi Theta Kappa, with some students joining both. Golden Key welcomed the top 15% of students pursuing a four-year degree, while Phi Theta Kappa invited those with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 and at least 12 credits completed toward an associate degree.

Students stood and took oaths, and were handed a flower and electric candle to signify induction into their respective honor society.

“Today we get to celebrate you, your dedication, your hard work, and everything you've achieved to reach this moment. You are the future of this society,” said speaker Owain Lucas ’26. As a student, Lucas was a member of Golden Key, and is now a graduate assistant for Voices, the College’s student media website.

Kelvin Marcano, president of Landmark's chapter of Golden Key, read the society’s charge, which listed among its responsibilities: “Maintain high academic standards,” “uphold strong moral and ethical character,” and “value each other's differences.” 

“Through innovation and perseverance, we can build a better future together,” Marcano concluded before Kalich read the names of the new Golden Key members.

Kalich said the College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered in 1994.

“Since then, we’ve inducted over 700 deserving students,” Kalich said. “I'm proud to say that our chapter has earned a prestigious five-star status, the highest standing by meeting all criteria, including conducting research, completing a collegewide project, and contributing to community service.”

Professor of Business Jeanette Landin, faculty advisor of Phi Theta Kappa, told the inductees, “Once you are inducted, you will find yourself surrounded by people who value learning as much as you do. The more that you give to this community, the more meaningful and rewarding your experience here will become.”

Landmark College President Jim Dlugos, the final speaker before a reception for the families, said lightheartedly that he wouldn’t keep everyone too long. 

“This is both the recognition of what you've accomplished today, but equally importantly, as we all know, an indication of your promise. We expect wonderful, great things of all of you,” Dlugos said. “And know that we are always there by your side to help you as you move forward.”