Published April 19, 2024
DC3 student Donald Newton “Newt” Taylor was named to the All-Kansas Academic Team on Friday, April 12. Pictured, left to right, are Kathy Ramsour, DC3 Board of Trustees Vice-Chair; Kerry J. Kuplic, DC3 PTK Advisor; Newt Taylor; Magda Taylor; Dr. Harold Nolte, DC3 President; and Don Taylor. [Photo by Renee Allen]
The Dodge City Community College (DC3) Kappa Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society has named Donald Newton “Newt” Taylor to the All-Kansas Academic Team for 2024.
Taylor, a DC3 sophomore from Lakewood, Colo., was honored April 12 during a luncheon ceremony at the Geary County Convention Center, in Junction City.
“I’m very proud of Newt for being chosen for this honor,” Kerry J. Kuplic, DC3 Professor of Vocal Music and PTK Advisor, said. “He submitted an outstanding application and is a great model of PTK’s hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.”
The honor is “a tremendous addition” to a student’s résumé and can lead to other opportunities down the road, Kuplic said.
“It will open the door to scholarships exclusive to All-State nominees, in addition to scholarships for PTK members,” he said. “It can also lead to professional and educational connections. In fact, guests at the luncheon included statewide politicians as well as staff members representing Kansas’ senators, which underscores just how important this honor is.”
Kuplic said that typically at the ceremony, the nominee is accompanied by a faculty advisor and a college administrator. This year, along with Taylor and Kuplic, DC3 was represented by Dr. Harold Nolte, President; Kathy Ramsour, Board of Trustees Vice-Chair; and Renee Allen, Executive Assistant to the President. In addition, Taylor’s parents, Don and Magda Taylor, also were in attendance.
About PTKFounded on Nov. 19, 1918, PTK is the national honor society of two-year colleges, and it seeks to promote scholarship, to develop leadership and service, and to cultivate fellowship among qualified students. To join, students must have a 3.5 (or higher) GPA and have completed at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate degree.
Kansas is one of 39 states that participate in the All-State Academic Team program. After students are named to the All-Kansas Academic Team, they become eligible for the All-USA Academic Team, which recognizes academic achievement, leadership, and community service among top community college students.
The DC3 Kappa Psi Chapter was chartered on April 21, 1960. For more information about PTK at DC3, please contact Kerry J. Kuplic at kkuplic@dc3.edu.
By Lance ZieschDC3 Assistant Director of Marketing and Community Relations