(MARSHALL) – The Beta Beta Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society at Texas State Technical College was recently named a Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors, or REACH, Rewards chapter.

The REACH status is given by Phi Theta Kappa to those chapters that exhibit excellence in accepting new members. TSTC’s designation was for its 2016 membership efforts. The Marshall chapter has at least 30 members and five advisors, said Robbie Anderson, a mathematics instructor and chapter advisor.

Zachary Garner, 21, campus chapter president and a Cyber Security and Computer Networking and Systems Administration double major from Forney scheduled to graduate in May, said members learned that planning and advertising make a difference in generating interest among students. He said there was a noticeable increase in turnout for the group’s Fall Festival held late last year, compared with a barbecue fundraising event held earlier this year.

Garner added that the chapter had a total of more than $600 in revenue from the event.

The technical college’s chapter students stay visible by working with Carter BloodCare on campus blood drives and participating in citywide and campus cleanup events. Members also support the efforts of Habitat for Humanity in Marshall.

The TSTC chapter was one of more than 400 Phi Theta Kappa-affiliated chapters to attain REACH status this year, with more than 30 of them being in Texas. Some of the benefits of the designation include scholarship opportunities for members and chapters receiving free Phi Theta Kappa graduation stoles.

“Students who are involved in Phi Theta Kappa have many opportunities that can affect their lives in different ways,” said Garner. “Students have the chance to build their leadership skills through taking the lead in club committees and stepping into an officer position.”

Phi Theta Kappa members must have at least a 3.5 GPA and have taken at least 12 semester credit hours.