History Phi Theta Kappa:

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society traces its beginnings to the original six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910.  The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary group in Missouri.  At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior college for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization.  The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization.  Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.  There have been over 2 million members inducted to date. 

Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter was chartered in October 1977 at the Texas Regional Leadership Conference.  Mae E. Thompson and Mike DeVault, counselors at Austin Community College, were the founding sponsors and Ramon Dovalina, Dean for Student  Servicers, chartered the chapter for Austin Community College. 

Five Austin Community College students with outstanding grade point averages were selected to become the charter members.  These students worked diligently from October 1977 to April 1978 to organize themselves into a chapter with bylaws that identified the criteria fro membership and the procedures for inviting and inducting new members.

Since starting the chapter, Alpha Gamma Pi has inducted students into membership each fall and spring semesters.  Students are invited to attend an orientation, then requested to indicate their interest in joining the organization.

The Alpha Gamma Pi chapter continues to sponsors activities to provide members opportunities for scholarship, service, and leadership development.  Traditional activities include the following:  officer's training, new member orientation, attendance of weekly meetings, attendance at regional and international events, leadership positions as committee chair/co-chair, recognition of outstanding instructors, and the chance to receive scholarships and other awards.  All members are encouraged to become viable, active participants of the organization, as well as the college and the community at large. 

Sponsors/Advisors who have guided the chapter are:

          Mae E. Thompson, Sponsor 1977-1986

          Mike DeVault, Sponsor 1977-1986

          Emma Moore, Sponsor 1978-1986 and Advisor 1986-1992

          Rosemary Gillett-Karam, Sponsor 1979-1981

          Ramon Dovalina, Advisor 1981-1986

          Walter Cooper, Advisor 1991-2005

          Mary Kohls, Advisor 1986-Present

          Reed Peoples, Advisor 2005-Present