Society Meets Hites Challenge; Second Challenge Issued
Phi Theta Kappa’s first $1 million scholarship endowment is now a reality. Society representatives accepted a check from the Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation for matching funds to create the endowment at the recent 2009 Convention. Hites Foundation board member Ray Hites also announced a second Hites Challenge to generate a second $1 million for the endowment. Shown are, from left, Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod A. Risley, Hites board members Raymond L. Kerlagon and Donald R. Davis, Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Executive Director Dr. Nancy Rieves, Hites board member Raymond D. Hites, Phi Theta Kappa board chair Everett C. “Kip” Johnson and Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Chair Dr. Matthew J. Quinn.
Phi Theta Kappa has an opportunity to create a $2 million transfer scholarship endowment for Phi Theta Kappa members. In April 2009, the Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation offered a second challenge to Phi Theta Kappa – if the Society again raises $350,000, the Hites Foundation will provide an additional $650,000 towards the recently established $1 million Hites Transfer Scholarship Endowment for Phi Theta Kappa members.
The official announcement of the Hites Challenge was made in 2008 at the International Convention. The second challenge is again being offered in conjunction with the founding of the 1918 Anniversary Club, a way of recognizing those who contribute by celebrating our anniversary year. The 1918 Anniversary Club offers three levels of giving — $19.18, $90, and $1,918. However, any amount over $19.18 will be recognized!
The Hite Foundation was established by Robert Hites, an executive with Ralston-Purina in St. Louis, Missouri. Upon his retirement and the fulfillment of a dream he always had of teaching, he accepted a position at St. Louis Community College. He had other opportunities to teach at senior institutions but declined because of the love he found for community college students and the impact he felt he could make on their lives. While teaching, he witnessed the fire within these hard working students and made sure, with the founding of the Hites Foundation, opportunities would be afforded to community college students around the country who excelled academically and desired to complete at least a baccalaureate degree.
This is a golden opportunity for supporters to contribute to this offer from the Hites Foundation. I hope you will join us in this endeavor and support the challenge offered for the establishment of a transfer scholarship for our members.
To contribute to this challenge, please visit http://www.ptkfoundation.org/giving-opportunities/make-a-gift-to-phi-theta-kappa/
