What is the Shirley B. Gordon Award?

                      By Dave Sigmund

The following has been taken from the Phi Theta Kappa website, www.ptk.org

Shirley B. Gordon Awards of Distinction

“The outstanding community college executive officers receiving this award have provided extensive support and a variety of resources for their colleges' Phi Theta Kappa chapters, including faculty advisor release time, a line-item budget for the chapter, and financial support for chapters to participate in regional and international events and scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.

Many of these presidents speak at their chapter inductions, serve as statewide Phi Theta Kappa presidential ambassadors and coordinate All-State Academic Team programs. The Shirley B. Gordon Awards are named for the President Emeritus of Highline Community College, now serving as chairman of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors.”

This April 13^th, our very own President of Stark State College, Dr. John O’Donnell will be receiving this prestigious award at the International Convention in Nashville, TN. Dr. O’Donnell came to Stark State College just three short years ago. However, in that time, he has given exemplary recognition to the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. By attending and speaking at all formal induction ceremonies, by offering encouragement to all of its members, and by many other avenues of  support too numerous to mention, the chapter would not be what it is without him. We, of Beta Gamma Epsilon, could not be more proud of this tribute that is about to be bestowed on Dr. O’Donnell as he is more than deserving of this honor. If you happen to see him around the halls of the college, be sure to stop and offer your congratulations.

This article was published on 02 March 2007
For more information, please contact Cherie Barth