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Chancellor Erik Coyne, Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) has received the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for New Presidents. The prestigious award recognizes new college leaders for their outstanding support of student success and providing a high-quality learning environment.

“I am thankful and humbled to receive this recognition – our students are amazing and work hard to reach their goals,” Chancellor Coyne said. 

The Paragon Award for New Presidents celebrates the active and direct interest in the development of PTK students and their peers. 

“I applaud Chancellor Coyne for taking an active and direct interest in the development of his Phi Theta Kappa students – they are so grateful, and it’s not just them,” Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society said. “Chancellor Coyne’s nomination was strong evidence that he is a student success champion for all students and works to provide more opportunities and strong pathways to completion, transfer, and employment.”

Esthela O’Neill, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Student Success at Ivy Tech Bloomington, was named a Distinguished College Administrator. The award celebrates college leaders who go above and beyond in their commitment to student success.

Both award nominations were facilitated by Ivy Tech Bloomington PTK students.

“Students see and appreciate Esthela’s dedication – both inside and outside the classroom – knowing she supports their learning and success,” Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society said. “Because of Esthela’s leadership and support of Phi Theta Kappa’s mission, they have a richer, more meaningful college experience.”

The awards will be presented at Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention April 4 in Kansas City, Mo.

 “I’ve had the pleasure of being directly and indirectly involved in so many of our students’ personal, professional, and educational lives and I can wholeheartedly say it is the best part of this work,” O’Neill said. “It is an honor to be recognized. This is a result of the collective efforts and dedication from our incredible team who are committed to student success. I'm proud to share this success with them."

Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Rho Sigma chapter currently has 52 registered members and is a five-star chapter.

About Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
Phi Theta Kappa () is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.