Phi Theta Kappa was founded to recognize and to encourage scholarship among students in American junior colleges. It is the only national honor society for junior colleges. It seeks to provide for the developments of leadership and service, an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas, stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence, and cultivation of fellowship among scholars.

Founded on November 19, 1918 at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri; Phi Theta Kappa was officially recognized by the American Association of Junior Colleges as the honor society for two-year colleges. Having grown from the original eight chapters to more than 700 regular and alumni chapters internationally, Phi Theta Kappa continues to be a vital part of the epoch-making two-year college movement.

In pursuit of these ideals, the fraternity becomes more than a club or a list. Its members enter into an intellectual and cultural fellowship that extends beyond a particular campus to regional and national networks. Through these experiences, Phi Theta Kappa continues to enrich their lives, their communities and their society.

In an effort to recognize scholarship, JJC’s Honors Committee, comprised of administrators, department chairmen, and faculty members worked many months to bring Phi Theta Kappa to the college. On May 4, 1986, JJC welcomed 56 charter members to Alpha Lambda Phi, Joliet Junior College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. The names of those first members are imprinted on the Alpha Lambda Phi charter, which is displayed outside the Board Room on the 2^nd Floor of J-Building.

Alpha Lambda Phi has held fall and spring initiations during the years since our chartering, and through the Spring of 2005 we’ve welcomed over 1800 members to JJC's Alpha Lambda Phi chapter.

Phi Theta Kappa members receive special recognition when they graduate from Joliet Junior College; they are distinguished at commencement ceremonies by gold PTK honor stoles and tassels.