New President/CEO of AACC Elected to Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors
Dr. Walter Bumphus, president/CEO-elect of the American Association
of Community Colleges, has been elected to the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors,
Society Executive Director Dr. Rod Risley has announced. Current AACC
president Dr. George Boggs was also elected to continue to serve as a board
member.
Presidents/CEOs of AACC have held the community college
president's position on Phi Theta Kappa's Board of Directors for almost
30 years. Dr. Boggs recently announced his retirement as president of AACC,
effective December 31, 2010. Dr. Bumphus will replace Dr. Boggs in the community
college president's position. Dr. Boggs was elected to the International
Honorary Member position on the Board, which has been vacant since the death
of long-time Board Chair Dr. Shirley Gordon in 2008. This will mark the first
time that two persons who have served as AACC president will serve concurrently
on Phi Theta Kappa's Board. Dr. Boggs is currently Vice Chair of Phi Theta
Kappa's Board of Directors.
"This is an extraordinary opportunity
for Phi Theta Kappa," Dr. Risley said. "Dr. Bumphus and Dr. Boggs have unmatched
experience in the community college field. Their commitment to Phi Theta
Kappa indicates the respect our Society enjoys throughout the higher education
arena."
"Their leadership is especially welcome in today's
economic climate, and their contributions will ensure Phi Theta Kappa's
effective participation in community college completion initiatives."
Phi
Theta Kappa's relationship with AACC extends over many years.
In
1929 the American Association of Junior Colleges, as AACC was then known,
officially recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the honor society for two-year
colleges.
More recently, AACC has partnered with Phi Theta
Kappa in the New Century Scholar, All-USA Community College Academic Team
and the Lanza Scholarship programs. Phi Theta Kappa was the only student
group invited to participate in the Call to Action and Community College
Completion Initiative led by AACC.
The two groups held a joint
Convention in 2008.
In accordance with the Phi Theta Kappa Constitution,
the Executive Director submits nominations to the Executive Committee,
composed of the International Officers, for the community college administrator
and international honorary member positions. Dr. Bumphus and Dr. Boggs
were unanimously elected by the Executive Committee to serve on the Board.
Dr.
Bumphus is a former president of Brookhaven College in Texas and of Baton
Rouge Community College in Louisiana. As chancellor for the Louisiana
Community College system he worked with Dr. Risley to establish the All-Louisiana
Community College Academic Team. Dr. Boggs was awarded International
Honorary Membership in Phi Theta Kappa this past April.
