During the International Phi Theta Kappa Convention in Minnesota in April Gary Poffenbarger, was pleasantly surprised when he received the Continued Excellence Award for Advisors.

Poffenbarger, associate professor of English at South Plains College has been PTK advisor for seven years and was not expecting to be chosen this year for the award.

“ I thought it would be four or five years before I received this award,” says Poffenbarger, who won the Giles Distinguished Advisor Award last year, though he was unable to attend the convention due to a tightened budget. In order to win the Giles award, an advisor has to be advising for five or more years. Therefore, Poffenbarger expected the same to be true of the Excellence Award.

“I about fell out of my seat when they announced I was the winner this year.”

Poffenbarger was one of 30 advisors to be chosen from a list of more than 1,700 advisors in the nation.

PTK is a national honor society for students at two-year colleges. Members of the SPC Phi Theta Kappa chapter nominated Poffenbarger by writing an essay of 500 words or less detailing his involvement in local, regional and national chapter activities and included the contribution the advisor has made to the growth of the chapter as a whole and to individuals. The members must also write about the advisor’s role as an on campus advocate and support for the chapter. The chapter activities include leadership around the community and on campus, keeping a good academic standing with a 3.25 grade point average, service to the community and others in the community, and fellowship to one another.

For four of the seven years that Poffenbarger has been advising PTK, it has been a five-star chapter.

“I work hard to help the students earn awards,” says Poffenbarger.

Poffenbarger who has been the District 1 coordinator in the West Texas area covering 12 chapters for five years is stepping down from advising this semester and handing PTK over to Stephanie Stanley.

“I am doing this to have more time for family,” says Poffenbarger.

Though he will be spending more time with his family, Poffenbarger will help transition Stanley smoothly into her new position.