(CENTREVILLE) – A Glen Oaks Community College staff member has received a national award.

Ben Fries, Director of Advising and Counseling, and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, has received a PTK Distinguished Advisor award and will be recognized in April at the PTK Catalyst Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

The award recognizes advisors who have at least four years of service in PTK and demonstrate an exceptional atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities and enthusiasm. Award-winners have made significant contributions to the growth of the individual members, serve as the chapter’s advocate on campus, and encourage the chapter to be involved on the local, regional and/or international levels of the organization.

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest and most prestigious international honor society recognizing students pursuing two-year degrees. There are more than 3.8 million members and 1,200 chapters internationally.

Fries, of Constantine, has been the advisor to the Glen Oaks Alpha Delta Omega PTK Chapter since 2013. He was nominated by the chapter members.

Tonya Howden, Glen Oaks Vice President of Student Services, says Ben has been the PTK advisor at Glen Oaks for nearly ten years, and in that time, he has increased student membership and has grown the program from a Two-Star Chapter to a Five-Star Chapter.

Howden says Fries has increased college support of the organization by inducting honorary faculty or staff members into the organization. In addition, knowing that the organization’s membership fees may be a barrier to student involvement, Ben worked with the Glen Oaks TRIO SSS program, who serves first generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities to reduce the cost of membership. TRIO now covers the membership fees so their students can participate in PTK.’

Fries is a former PTK Paragon Advisor award recipient and a recipient of a PTK Regional Distinguished Advisor award.