04/29/11  Ancilla College students Amber Beaver and Mark Reel were both named to the All-Indiana Academic Team at a recent luncheon in Indianapolis sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the College announced.

Beaver and Reel were two of 32 students across the state that received such distinction.

Beaver, a sophomore from Argos, IN, is majoring in Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science.  She serves as the President of the Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  She has also assisted with food drives, Ronald McDonald Charities, and has served as a recycling coordinator.

“I felt honored to receive the award and was very excited to attend the dinner and meet all of the other recipients,” said Beaver.

Reel, a sophomore from Kokomo, IN, majors in Business Administration.  He is the Treasurer of the Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.  He is also a member of the Ancilla College baseball team and serves as a writing lab assistant.

“We are so proud of Amber and Mark,” said Cynthia Cawthon, co-advisor of the Beta Beta Beta chapter along with Jane Yochum.  “They were required to demonstrate their academic achievement and exceptional community service as well as write an essay. It is an immense honor for them to be chosen among the many nominees from Indiana colleges.”

Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May attended the event as well, and expressed his pride in both Beaver and Reel.

“It was my pleasure to attend the gala banquet honoring Indiana’s Phi Theta Kappa All-Academic Team in Indianapolis,” said May.  “I had the high honor of presenting certificates to Ancilla College students Amber Beaver and Mark Reel during the ceremony.  On behalf of the entire Ancilla College community I congratulate Amber and Mark on their honor.  They both are an inspiration to us all.

The 32 recipients were selected from a list of nominated students.  Though the event is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, it is not required for a student to belong to Phi Theta Kappa to earn a nomination.

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 2 million members and 1,200 chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.

To be eligible for membership a student must complete a minimum of twelve hours of associate degree course work and generally earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must maintain a high academic standing throughout their enrollment in the two-year college, generally a 3.25 GPA.

Ancilla College is a Catholic, two-year, co-educational, liberal arts college in Donaldson, Indiana sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

Photo:  Amber Beaver and Mark Reel