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M State PTK honor society celebrates state, national awards

M State PTK All-Minnesota Academic Team honoree Andrew Averbeck, second from left, with chapter advisors Asenath Huether (left) and Michelle Ebsen, and M State Interim Dean of Student Affairs Scott Ebsen at PTK luncheon in Minneapolis on April 11.
M State PTK All-Minnesota Academic Team honoree Andrew Averbeck, second from left, with chapter advisors Asenath Huether (left) and Michelle Ebsen, and M State Interim Dean of Student Affairs Scott Ebsen at a PTK luncheon in Minneapolis on April 11. 

 

M State’s Omicron Omicron Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society earned state and national recognition this year for the academic achievements and community contributions of student members and advisors. PTK is an international honor society for two-year colleges. 

At a PTK All-Minnesota Academic Team luncheon on April 11 in Minneapolis, four M State students were nominated for the All-Minnesota Academic Team: Megan Alden, Andrew Averbeck, Jackson Lysne and Nicholas Quirt. Academic team honors are awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and service to their communities. 

The M State chapter also received the Most Distinguished Honors in Action award at this past fall’s PTK Minn-Kota Regional Conference, and a Hallmark Award for Distinguished Honors in Action Project at the PTK’s 2025 national Catalyst Conference. The award-winning project focused on college student substance use disorder, with M State PTK members conducting research into student needs and then creating an informational handout and new M State webpage containing relevant resources. Students involved in the project were Andrew Averbeck, Nicholas Quirt and Darlington Uzowuru, led by faculty mentor Asenath Huether. 

Huether received a PTK Horizon Award for rising advisors who actively engage with student members, help them grow professionally, and contribute to their chapter’s overall success.