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The North Central Missouri College Foundation established the Sarah Joe Brown PTK Scholarship, made possible through a generous bequest from the late Sarah Joe Brown. This scholarship assists students who need help covering the membership dues required to join Phi Theta Kappa, with funds paid directly to the PTK organization on behalf of the recipients.

The fall application deadline for the 2025–2026 PTK Scholarship was Oct. 8, and five PTK members were awarded scholarships during the Fall PTK Eta Mu Chapter Induction Ceremony held on Oct. 14.

The Fall 2025 recipients of the NCMC Foundation Sarah Joe Brown PTK Scholarship are:

Cierra May, Trenton, MO; Jerikka Ortiz, Trenton, MO; Paige Lang, Winston, MO; Amber Godfrey, St. Joseph, MO; and Kristin Love, Cameron, MO.

Throughout her life, Sarah and her late husband, Tom, were deeply committed to advocating for individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Their dedication was rooted in their efforts to provide an exceptional quality of life for their eldest son, Thomas Alden Brown, who was born with Down syndrome. Education and advocacy were central to the Browns’ lives, and their lifelong work left a lasting impact on those they served both inside and outside the classroom. Their legacy continues today through scholarships such as this, supporting students in their educational pursuits.

“PTK is the world’s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students,” states a release from the college.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an accredited institution offering an associate degree, have completed at least 12 credit hours, maintain a 3.50 GPA or above, receive an invitation to join, and adhere to the moral standards of the society. The Eta Mu chapter at NCMC was established in 1950 and is home to over 2,852 members and alumni. For more information on being eligible to join PTK and the Sarah Joe Brown PTK Scholarship contact Chapter Advisor Samuel Meservey at 660-357-6407 or smeservey@mail.ncmissouri.edu or NCMC Scholarship Coordinator Kristi Varner at 660-357-6321 or kvarner@mail.ncmissouri.edu.