Ridgewater Phi Theta Kappa Advisors Receive Regional and International Recognition
July 23, 2026
WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN – Ridgewater College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter has earned multiple honors at both the regional and international levels, recognizing the outstanding achievements of its students and advisors.
Communication instructor Dr. Bradley Wolfe received the Distinguished Advisor Award, one of Phi Theta Kappa’s highest individual honors for advisors. The award recognizes advisors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, mentorship, and dedication to student success.
In addition, Ridgewater’s advising team—Bradley Wolfe, Lori Anderson, Varad Agarkar, and Stacy Gillespie—received the Distinguished Advisor Team Award. The award honors advisor teams that work collaboratively to foster student leadership, academic excellence, and meaningful chapter engagement. Anderson and Wolfe serve as the chapter’s primary advisors, Gillespie provides behind-the-scenes support through student reporting and membership outreach, and Agarkar recently joined the advising team to expand student engagement on the Willmar campus.
Under the advising team’s leadership, Ridgewater’s PTK chapter has consistently achieved Five-Star Chapter status, the highest level of chapter recognition awarded by Phi Theta Kappa. The designation reflects sustained excellence in leadership development, scholarship, service, fellowship, and completion of the organization’s annual chapter plan.
This year, Ridgewater students also earned regional recognition for their work. The chapter received the Most Distinguished Honors in Action Project (Theme 3: Ways Stories Are Told), recognizing the chapter’s research, service, and presentation centered on one of Phi Theta Kappa’s annual Honors Study themes. Students also earned Second Runner-Up Distinguished Officer Team, honoring the chapter’s student leaders for their outstanding leadership and chapter accomplishments.
Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for students attending two-year colleges, with chapters located around the world. Each year, only a select number of advisors, advisor teams, and chapters receive these honors, highlighting Ridgewater College’s continued commitment to student leadership, scholarship, and service.