Skip to main content

PTK recognizes ETBU for exemplary transfer pathways

April 15, 2019

East Texas Baptist University was named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence and success in community college and transfer pathway development among four-year colleges and universities. ETBU is among the top 25 percent of colleges, who earned the highest Transfer Friendliness Ratings by completing a Transfer Profile in PTK Connect.

“The ETBU Transfer Admissions Team intentionally seeks PTK members from local community colleges because they add marked value to the student body as scholars and servants in the classroom and community,” ETBU Vice President for Enrollment and Administrative Affairs Kevin Caffey said. “Phi Theta Kappa is built on four pillars – service, scholarship, leadership, and fellowship. As we see PTK students practice these qualities at their community colleges, we are confident they will transition well as ETBU Tigers and become influential on our campus.”

One of only 78 institutions in the nation selected to receive this honor, ETBU was evaluated in the areas of scholarship and financial aid, admissions outreach, student support services, and student engagement opportunities.

“We do everything we can to make the transition as seamless as possible. We want students to have all of the tools they need,” ETBU Transfer Admissions Counselor Maddie Sherwood shared. “The admissions process can be an outreach to students because we are able to build relationships with them, especially with PTK chapters as we attend conventions, inductions, and campuses on a regular basis. PTK members enjoy the University because they are like-minded students, committed to excelling in the classroom and through service.”

All Transfer Honor Roll schools were recognized at the PTK Catalyst 2019, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, on Thursday, April 4 through Saturday, April 6. ETBU was also included in the 2019 Phi Theta Kappa Partners in Excellence publication, distributed to higher education leaders nationally.

“The most rewarding part of attending the PTK Catalyst was representing the University I attended on a national level,” ETBU Transfer Counselor and alumnus Max Turner (’15) said. “During my time as a recruiter, I have had the philosophy that I am just an arm of God’s sovereignty. He lays it on people’s hearts and I am the messenger to tell them about ETBU. I encounter people from every walk of life and have had the opportunity to share about Jesus and how we integrate faith into our education. PTK students are a good fit because their values align with ETBU’s Christian beliefs.”

The Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society consists of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations. PTK members have a 72 percent transfer rate, compared to the 29 percent rate of traditional community college students. ETBU and PTK share a commitment to encourage and equip students as they grow in leadership and scholarship. 

“I decided to transfer to ETBU because of the Christ-centered environment, the PTK scholarship, and the transfer counselors, who showed such interest in getting me here,” ETBU senior Nursing major Chloe Jenkins shared. “My membership with PTK and education at the University prepares me for the future by pushing me to be an above-average student, to stay involved, and have fun with my fellow students. I learned to go the extra mile with PTK and am continually challenged to do the same at ETBU.”

The University offers an $11,000 each year in academic support to Phi Theta Kappa students. Through partnerships with institutions in the surrounding community, students across East Texas are able to seamlessly transfer approved courses, receive priority for admission, and be granted precedence for scholarships at ETBU. To learn more about the University and to apply, visit www.etbu.edu/admissions

ETBU Transfer Admissions Counselor Max Turner accepts an award on the behalf of the University at the PTK Catalyst 2019. East Texas Baptist University was one of only 78 institutions in the nation named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Transfer Honor Roll.