Highlights of Phi Theta Kappa's 2007 International Convention

Phi Theta Kappa's 2007 International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, concluded April 14, with a record number of chapters attending. Results of the election for 2007-08 International Officers and Hallmark Award recipients were announced in the Hallmark Awards Gala.

Elected to serve as 2007-08 International Officers were:

Casey Maliszewski, Raritan Valley Community College, New Jersey, International President

Connie Myers, Columbus State Community College, Ohio, International Vice President - Division I

Deeneaus Polk, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Jackson County Campus, Mississippi, International Vice President - Division II

Mahmedein Mahmedein, St. Louis Community College, Florissant Valley Campus, Missouri, International Vice President - Division III

Ulugbek "Bek" Baymuradov, Treasure Valley Community College, Oregon, International Vice President - Division IV

Named Most Distinguished Chapter was the Alpha Epsilon Omicron Chapter from Trident Technical College in South Carolina.

Finalists to Most Distinguished Chapter included:

Beta Lambda Mu Chapter, Cy-Fair College, Texas, First Finalist

Eta Gamma Chapter, Coffeyville Community College, Kansas, Second Finalist

Alpha Zeta Eta Chapter, North Lake College, Texas, Third Finalist

Beta Lambda Delta Chapter, Jefferson State Community College, Alabama, Fourth Finalist

Beta Theta Kappa Chapter, Butte College, California, Fifth Finalist

The Mississippi College Alumni Association received the 2007 Alumni Association Award of Merit.

Amanda Acquard, a member of the Zeta of New York Alumni Association, was elected to the Alumni Advisory Council.

Shirley Scarbrough was previously announced as the recipient of the Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award.

See a complete list of Hallmark Award recipients online.

Dr. Mary Hood of Texas was elected to serve as Regional Coordinator Representative on the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors. She will serve a three-year term.

Chosen Association of Chapter Advisors Secretary (ACA) for 2007-08 was Paul Roscelli from Canada College in California. Following his year as Secretary, he will serve as Vice Chair and Chair of the ACA.

Chosen to receive Mosal Awards of $5,000 each for personal professional development projects were:

Jeff Edwards, chapter advisor at Cy-Fair College, Texas, and Holmes Community College, Goodman Campus, Mississippi, for "Touring History: Tracing the Roots of Political Economy in Scotland, England, and France."

Dr. Brent Kendrick, Lord Fairfax Community College, Virginia, "Celebrating 400 Years of Virginia Writers: John Smith to Lee Smith."

A record-breaking 590 chapters were represented, with a total attendance of 3,812.

Delegates from five international chapters attended - more than ever before - representing Canada, the British Virgin Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and the United Arab Emirates.

Convention highlights included keynote addresses by former United States Vice President Al Gore, former First Lady of Egypt Dr. Jehan Sadat, cancer survivor and country music entertainer Kevin Sharp, and 2006-07 International President Tycia Foster.

Executive Director Rod Risley announced two new Society programs, CollegeFish.org, for transfer planning, and the Five Star Member Development Program, to provide learning, career and life skills for members.

Dr. Jack Guistwhite, former administrator at Florida Atlantic University who established the first-ever designated transfer scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa members, attended to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Guistwhite Scholarship Program. Dr. Guistwhite, former Guistwhite Scholars and 2007 Guistwhite Scholars were honored during the Convention.

The Convention featured daily rounds of Educational Forums on topics ranging from Society programs to leadership development. Interactive Forums on CollegeFish.org allowed attendees to enroll onsite. Interactive Forums were also held on PAM, the Personal Assistant Manager for Advisors.

A popular Convention destination was the Academic Marketplace, featuring special exhibits, the Advisor Corner, Programs Plaza and Recognition and Chapter sales booths.

Phi Theta Kappa's 2008 International Convention is scheduled for April 3-5 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.