Motlow PTK Members Earn All-Tennessee Academic Team

April 18, 2022

Two Motlow State students were honored at the Tennessee Board of Regent’s (TBR) 2022 Student Honors Luncheon held on March 30.

The annual luncheon salutes top-achieving members of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). PTK is the national honor society for students at two-year colleges, and the 25 PTK members from TBR’s community colleges honored are members of the PTK All-Tennessee Academic Team.

Motlow State Phi Theta Kappa members recognized:

• Rebekah Davis, of Fayetteville, is majoring in special education at Motlow
• Shayna Funderburk, of Brentwood, is majoring in Speech and Theatre at Motlow

“Phi Theta Kappa has provided me with various skills and opportunities to better prepare myself for the college transition and the workforce. Receiving this award is a great honor because it has shown me that others are confident in my future,” said Davis. “I'd like to thank all the willing PTK advisors who dedicate their time to encourage success for the students.”

“It was such an honor to be recognized at the Tennessee Board of Regents’ Honors Luncheon this year,” said Funderburk. “I am grateful for all the opportunities that the PTK Honor Society has provided me. Thank you to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for their generous Gold Scholar award. These achievements would not be possible without the moral support from my mother, father, grandmother, and brothers (Keaton and Jonas), and the extraordinary mentorship by my Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisors Misty Griffith, Dayron Deaton-Owens, Gregg Garrison, Laura Brown, Rob Keel, and Dawn Copeland. Last but not least, thank you to Dr. Michael Torrence and to all the amazing faculty at Motlow State; I am truly blessed to be collaborating with such outstanding individuals!”

The students honored were nominated by their colleges. Each was individually recognized during the luncheon program, and presented medallions and certificates by their respective college presidents, signifying their achievements.

“For all of you, your presence here today means that you have already achieved a level of excellence that demands attention and led to your induction into these two honor societies. The academic and technical skills that you have demonstrated will serve you well – regardless of whether you’re planning on continuing your studies at a university – or going straight into your new careers,” Dr. Russ Deaton, TBR executive vice chancellor for policy and strategy, told the honorees.

The Honors Luncheon is a part of the TBR’s fourth annual Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) program.

Tennessee’s Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient, and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. The system offers associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs, and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tbr.edu or visit Motlow at mscc.edu.