The outstanding alumni below who have an asterisk beside their names have received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. This award recognizes an alumnus who has distinguished himself/herself in either a professional or humanitarian capacity on a national or international level. This recognition is given when deemed appropriate by the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Executive Director and International Officers.
| *Dr. Charles W. Branch President, Chattanooga State Technical Community College Spartanburg Junior College, SC Awarded in 1974 |
Carol M. Browner Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Miami-Dade College, FL |
|
| *The Honorable Larry Chesley Vietnam P.O.W.; Author; Arizona State Senator Weber College, UT Awarded in 1976 |
*Judge Eugene A. Cook Justice, Texas Supreme Court University of Houston, TX Awarded in 1988 |
|
| *Dr. James Davis Member, Virginia House of Delegates; President of Shenandoah University Ferrum College, VA Awarded in 1980 |
*Dr. Sylvia Earle Oceanographer; Researcher St. Petersburg College, FL Awarded in 2000 |
|
| *Dr. Marvin R. Felder President, Temple Junior College Wharton County Junior College, TX Awarded in 1974 |
*Dr. Joe B. Frantz Texas Historian; Author Weatherford College, TX Awarded in 1971 |
|
| *Dr. Janice Freeman Distinguished Science Professor, Texas A&M University University Del Mar College, TX Awarded in 1975 |
*Dr. Joyce Freeman Distinguished Science Professor, Texas A&M University University Del Mar College, TX Awarded in 1975 |
|
| *The Honorable Reynaldo G. Garza Senior Judge, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Texas Southmost College, TX Awarded in 1993 |
*Rudy Gatlin Grammy Award-winning Country Western Musician Odessa College, TX Awarded in 1981 |
|
| *David C. Gruel Jet Propulsion Laboratory Test Engineer; Flight Director for Mars Pathfinder Project Holyoke Community College, MA Awarded in 1998 |
*Fred Haise Apollo 13 Mission Lunar Module Pilot Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, MS Awarded in 1970 |
|
| *Mayor Clarence Harmon Mayor of St. Louis, MO St. Louis Community College, MO Awarded in 2000 |
*Admiral B.R. Inman Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Tyler Junior College, TX Awarded in 1985 |
|
| Rich Karlgaard Publisher, Forbes Magazine Bismarck State College, ND |
*H. Ben Kinchlow Co-Host of The 700 Club, Christian Broadcast Network Southwest Texas Junior College, TX Awarded in 1986 |
|
| *Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick United States Ambassador, United Nations Stephens College, MO Awarded in 1983 |
*Jim Lehrer Co-Anchor of the MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour, Public Broadcasting System Victoria College, TX Awarded in 1982 |
|
| *Dr. Joseph A. Malik President, Wharton County Junior College Grays Harbor College, WA Awarded in 1974 |
*Dr. Thomas J. Malone President and Chief Executive Officer, Milliken & Co. Pearl River Community College, MS Awarded in 1987 |
|
| *Monte Markham Actor - Stage, Film, Television Palm Beach Community College, FL Awarded in 1973 |
*Randal McDonald Chief Executive Officer of Pennzoil Corporation Wharton County Junior College, TX Awarded in 1990 |
|
| *Dr. W. Kendall McNabney Vietnam Field Surgeon; Established first Emergency Medical Residency Program, United States Coffeyville Community College, KS Awarded in 2002 |
*Dr. Paul David Mork President, Waldorf College Waldorf College, IA Awarded in 1974 |
|
| *Margaret Mosal Former Executive Director, Phi Theta Kappa Whitworth College, MS Awarded in 1978 |
*The Honorable Francine Neff Treasurer, United States Cottey College, MO Awarded in 1976 |
|
| *Dr. Beverly H. Oliphant United States Department of State Medical Consultant East Central Community College, MS Awarded in 2002 |
*Dr. Arnulfo L. Oliviera President, Texas Southmost College Texas Southmost College, TX Awarded in 1974 |
|
| *H. Ross Perot International Businessman; 1992 United States Presidential Candidate Texarkana College, TX Awarded in 1977 |
*Thomas Hal Phillips Author; Screenwriter Hinds Community College, MS Awarded in 1972 |
|
| *Caleb Pirtle Author; Filmmaker Kilgore College, TX Awarded in 1974 |
*The Honorable Howard Pollock Alaska’s First United States Congressman Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, MS Awarded in 1970 |
|
| *Rod A. Risley Executive Director, Phi Theta Kappa San Jacinto College, TX Awarded in 2009 |
*Dr. William Roper Director, Centers for Disease Control Florida College, FL Awarded in 1991 |
|
| *Anthony J. “Tony” Sadberry Executive Director, Texas Lottery Commission Navarro College, TX Awarded in memoriam in 2009 |
*Dr. Alfredo G. de los Santos President, El Paso Community College Laredo Junior College, TX Awarded in 1974 |
|
| Dannette Sheppard Featured vocalist, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus Bronx Community College, NY |
*Dr. David H. Shinn United States Ambassador, Ethiopia Yakima Valley Community College, WA Awarded in 1995 |
|
| *Iris Futoranaky Siff Managing and Artistic Director, Alley Theatre Tyler Junior College, TX Awarded in 1981 |
*The Honorable Ike Skelton United States Congressman, Missouri Wentworth Military Academy, MO Awarded in 1992 |
|
| Jeffrey William Smoke Member of 2004 United States Olympic Kayaking Team Holy Cross College, IN Beta Epsilon Rho |
*Gerald Steichen Conductor, New York City Opera and New Haven Symphony Orchestra Northern Oklahoma College, OK Awarded in 2004 |
|
| *Lee F. Sword Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lead Engineer, Mars Pathfinder Project Pima Community College, AZ Awarded in 1998 |
*Dr. Billy Thames President, Copiah-Lincoln Junior College Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, MS Awarded in 1974 |
|
| Sela Ward Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning Actress Meridian Community College, MS |
Michael Weiss Three-Time US National Ice Skating Champion Two-time World Bronze Medalist Member of US Olympic Ice Skating Team Prince Georges Community College, MD |
|
| *Dr. Jerome F. Weynand President, San Antonio College and St. Phillips College San Antonio College, TX Awarded in 1974 |
*Dr. Jean Woolfolk Former National Treasurer, Phi Theta Kappa Little Rock Junior College, AR Awarded in 1979 |
|
| *Trisha Yearwood Grammy Award-winning Country Western Musician Young Harris College, GA Awarded in 2002 |
||
