Samantha Migatz, left, and Andrew Peterson| Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Elgin Community College students Andrew Peterson of Lake in the Hills and Samantha Migatz of South Elgin have been named to this year’s All-Illinois Academic Team. They are among the 81 students from 42 Illinois community colleges receiving the honor.
Illinois community college presidents nominate students to be a part of the team based on outstanding academic achievement, campus leadership, and responsible community involvement. All students were honored on Wednesday, April 18 during the 14th Annual Phi Theta Kappa Banquet in Springfield.
“The Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team is one way we can honor the outstanding academic achievements made by our community college students, and recognize the positive contributions community colleges and their students make to our Illinois communities,” said Illinois Community College Board President and CEO Geoff Obrzut.
Peterson, a biological sciences major, has a 3.67 grade-point average. He plans to enter the pre-med program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has been accepted into the UIC Honors College. Migatz, an elementary education major, has a 3.59 grade-point average and is a trustee academic scholar, an ECC Foundation scholar, an ECC Admissions student ambassador, and a Phi Theta Kappa information chairperson.
Peterson’s and Migatz’s selection to the All-Illinois Team automatically nominates them to the Community and Junior College All-USA Academic Team sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international academic society of community colleges, USA TODAY, and the American Association of Community Colleges. Sixty, two-year college students will receive the honor, which will place 20 students in each first, second, and third teams.
To be eligible for the All-USA Academic Team, a student must post a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA and be eligible to graduate with an associate degree. The 20 First Team members receive stipends of $2,500 each. All 60 members of the All-USA Academic Team and their colleges receive extensive national recognition through coverage in USA TODAY.
Phi Theta Kappa operates on four hallmarks: leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service. Student members of Phi Theta Kappa are encouraged to not excel only in the classroom, but to create opportunities to put these hallmarks into action. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa allows students to develop leadership skills, build networks, and serve their communities through a variety of activities.