Three Ridgewater PTK Students Named to All-State Academic Team
March 20, 2024
Ridgewater College students Cecelia Lhotka, Melissa Rosenow and Ethan Peterson have been nominated and will represent Ridgewater on the 2023-2024 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) National Honor Society All-Minnesota Academic Team.
The All-Minnesota Academic Team program provides the opportunity to celebrate some of the state’s highest-achieving college students in associate degree and certificate programs, considering classroom academic excellence and rigor, plus community service and leadership.
Rosenow of Hutchinson is a Nursing student studying to become a registered nurse. Also of Hutchinson, Peterson is a Liberal Arts and Sciences student on the Hutchinson campus with plans for a computer science career after transferring to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Lhotka, of Darwin, is an online Peace Officer student looking forward to becoming a state trooper.
The three students will now be considered in the competitive process for the All-USA Academic Team. All-State recognition and nomination to the All-USA Academic Team national program means the three will be considered for special PTK scholarships and will be honored at a special ceremony on April 19 at the Como Park Rainforest Auditorium.
“Opportunities like this are quite inspiring for students,” said Dr. Bradley Wolfe, Ridgewater PTK co- advisor.
In Wolfe’s nomination letter for Peterson, he highlighted Peterson’s dedication, intellectual curiosity, and strong work ethic. “Currently engaged in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, Ethan is on track to complete an impressive 64 college credits with Ridgewater, all while maintaining an outstanding 3.9 g.p.a (grade point average).”
Rosenow’s nomination highlighted her proactive commitment to the Ridgewater PTK chapter and her passion for helping people in health care. Her nursing background helped the chapter implement an action project using play to support mental health and self-care.
“The opportunities that this honor provides are unparalleled,” said Lhotka. “It will help me further my goal of helping others in their greatest times of need.” The second-year student will graduate in May, take her peace office skills training in Alexandria, and then plans to cap it off with state trooper training at Fort Ripley.
Peterson said he hopes that the honor will give him an edge in scholarship applications as he continues his education. That would helpful Rosenow also, as her plans include continuing to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while juggling family.
Minimum requirements include being enrolled in a minimum of six semester credits, having completed 36 credits, having a minimum 3.5 g.p.a. on a 4-point scale, being on track to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree, being a U.S. resident, and possessing clean student and criminal records.