WATERLOO-Hawkeye Community College professor and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) advisor, Beth Sindt of Reinbeck, received the prestigious “Distinguished Advisor Award” for the Iowa Region of Phi Theta Kappa at the regional conference. Phi Theta Kappa is the national honor society for two-year colleges. The purpose of the organization is to recognize and promote academic achievement among students, to provide opportunities for leadership training for college students, and to encourage personal growth and foster fellowship among members and associates. Membership is based on a minimum grade point average of 3.25. Sindt is now eligible to receive the International Distinguished Advisor Award, which will be given in April.

For nearly six years Sindt served as an outstanding advisor and advocate for Hawkeye’s PTK chapter, Beta Alpha Kappa. She works hard to make sure that PTK students are honored as scholars and that they exemplar what it means to be good citizens. Sindt and Beta Alpha Kappa students can always be counted on to be actively involved in promoting the value of being a PTK member.

Beta Alpha Kappa students routinely serve as ambassadors for the Hawkeye Foundation’s Donor Reception events and are actively engaged in a variety of local and community activities. Ditch clean-ups and blood drives are just a few of the many activities that Sindt and PTK students have participated in and/or organized. Some of these activities provide service to others, while others raise funds for their chapter. Visibility of PTK through Sindt’s efforts has helped to bring greater awareness and attention to the various activities of Phi Theta Kappa in the community.

Nominators stated, “Sindt has faith in each student. She encourages us to step outside of our comfort zones and to reach for the stars even when we feel we may not be able to succeed.” Sindt is known to work right beside her students. It doesn’t matter what the task is cleaning ditches, selling food, playing games with children who have cancer, or running a meeting, she is known as the cheerleader and always motivates students to keep going and to have fun.

Two Hawkeye PTK members were also honored as a part of the 2014 All-Iowa Academic Team – Hannah Apling of Janesville and Jodi Bergmann of Dike. Apling is in the Liberal Arts program and plans to transfer to the University of Northern Iowa. She is the public relations officer for the Beta Alpha Kappa Chapter and a leader for Student Ambassadors. She received the Achievement Scholarship from Hawkeye. Bergmann is in the Business Administration program and is a 2013 graduate of the Accounting program. She plans to transfer to the University of Northern Iowa. She is the president of Beta Alpha Kappa Chapter and the treasurer of the STEM Club. She received the Outstanding Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Student Leader award and has been named to the Dean’s List at Hawkeye all semesters.