Williamsburg Technical College student and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) South Carolina All-State Academic Team nominee Lakale Smith (center) is joined by WTC president Cleve H. Cox (left) and College general business instructor Alecia Lawrence at a recent event at the state house honoring team nominees.

Williamsburg Technical College Phi Theta Kappa

All-State Academic Team Member Honored in Columbia

Lake City resident Lakale Latisha Smith, a Williamsburg Technical College computer resource management major, was recognized at the State House recently along with 23 students from the South Carolina Technical College System who have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) South Carolina All-State Academic Team.

In addition to her studies at Williamsburg Technical College, Smith is employed full-time with the Williamsburg County school district adult education program. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree and teach computer-related classes. She is a member of the College’s PTK honor society and has been involved in projects such as outreach for St. Ann’s Catholic Center, collecting items for mailing to troops in the Middle East, fundraising endeavors for the Haven of Rest shelter for abused women, Habitat for Humanity support, and care-giving and assistance for the elderly. She was also nominated by the College in November of 2008 to The Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.

“Lakale excels exceptionally in academics,” says Alecia Lawrence, WTC general business instructor and PTK advisor. “She exhibits a hunger and desire to learn about her academic field.” 

 The students named to the South Carolina All-State Academic Team were selected by the technical college presidents on the basis of academic performance, leadership accomplishments, and service to their Colleges and to their local communities. In addition, these students will participate in the annual All-USA Academic Team competition in April 2009, sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College.

Less than one percent of America's six million two-year college students have distinguished themselves with this superior level of academic achievement and service to their colleges and communities. “These students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and impressive records of service to their colleges and communities,” said South Carolina Technical College System President Dr. Barry Russell. “They are the best and brightest that our state’s technical colleges have to offer, and I congratulate them on their many accomplishments.”

Phi Theta Kappa was founded in 1918 to emphasize and recognize academic excellence in two-year colleges. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada and Germany.