LBW Community College Director of Recruitment Heather Owen was recently recognized by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at the annual international convention in Orlando.

Owen, who serves as an adviser for the Alpha Beta Eta Chapter at LBWCC in Andalusia, received the 2014 Continued Excellence Award for Advisors, and was one of only four from

Alabama and 30 internationally to receive the award.

The award recognizes advisers who have served at least four years and have previously won a Distinguished Advisor Award. These advisors have made significant contributions to the growth of the individual chapter members, served as the chapter’s advocate on campus, and encouraged the chapter to be involved in the local, regional, and/or international level of the organization.

“I am honored to be recognized for this award, especially since the nomination came from our students,” Owen said. “PTK not only recognizes high academic achievement, it also serves as an important avenue for students to learn the hallmarks of leadership, scholarship, fellowship and service.”

Advisers are nominated by their chapters through the Hallmark Awards application process. They were selected by a panel of judges from more than 50 nominees worldwide.

In addition, Owen received the “Community College Faculty and Staff Fish Fanatic” award in recognition of her support and promotion of PTK’s CollegeFish.org program, a website which showcases the best and brightest in community and four-year college transfer initiatives, programming and pathways. The award recognizes outstanding innovation, collaboration and creativity.

“LBW utilizes CollegeFish.org in our new student orientation program and course because it helps them explore college options beyond our state lines which they may not have previously known about,” Owen said. “The PTK chapter used CollegeFish.org as part of their year-long college project called ‘Passport to Completion.’”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plush Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and the U.S. territorial possessions. Nearly three million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 131,000 students inducted annually.