"Kip" Johnson Assumes Board Chair Position; Dr. Shirley Gordon Becomes Vice Chair
Everett C. "Kip" Johnson, attorney and former Phi Theta Kappa National
President, was elected Chair of the Society's Board of Directors during
the board's annual meeting in January. Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Board Chair
for a record 20 years, will now serve as Vice Chair, Johnson's former position.
"It
is impossible for me to find the words to adequately reveal what the leadership
of Dr. Shirley Gordon has meant to Phi Theta Kappa for two decades," said
Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley, in announcing the change
in Board leadership. "Her enthusiasm inspired us, her discipline kept
us focused, and her fairness and keen judgment commanded our respect. I
consider myself so fortunate to have been a student under her mentorship
all these years. Her close friends call her 'teacher.' From personal experience
I can say that Shirley will always be teaching us."
"I know that
Shirley is pleased that Kip Johnson has accepted the reins of leadership,"
Risley said. "His longtime affiliation with Phi Theta Kappa, his extraordinarily
keen intellect, and high-level experience have prepared Kip to serve the
organization in this most important leadership capacity."
Johnson
is Senior Litigation Partner for the Washington, D.C. law firm of Latham
and Watkins LLP. He was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Wesley College in
Dover, Delaware, and served as National President in 1975-76.
Johnson
transferred to Duke University, and graduated summa cum laude. He received
his law degree from the University of Virginia, where he was Managing Editor
of the Virginia Law Review.
He became a member of the Phi Theta
Kappa Board of Directors in 1996. Johnson served as moderator for the International
Convention Conversation with keynote speaker Rudy Giuliani in 2005.
Johnson
has more than 20 years of civil and criminal litigation experience at both
the trial and appellate level; has handled securities class actions, Securities
and Exchange enforcement actions and Department of Justice and Congressional
investigations. He has argued successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The
newly named Chair expressed thanks for the confidence placed in him by the
Board. "No one could ever do what Shirley Gordon has done," he said.
Dr.
Gordon joined the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors in 1986, when she was
President of Highline Community College in Washington. In 1988 she was
named Board Chair, and holds the record for the longest period of service
in that position.
Phi Theta Kappa's achievements during Dr.
Gordon's term as Board Chair include such milestones as the establishment
of the Leadership Development Studies Program, the expansion of Society-funded
scholarships and scholarship partnerships and the construction of the
Center for Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa's International Headquarters.
Among
her personal highlights has been the renaming of Phi Theta Kappa's Hallmark
Award for college presidents as the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction
- "That was a single shining moment for me," she said. The award is given annually
to college presidents for exemplary support of Phi Theta Kappa.
Johnson
sees his new leadership role as a continuation of opportunities that originated
when he was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. Johnson discussed similar opportunities
as a guest on the August 31, 2007, edition of KeyCast,
Phi Theta Kappa's audio news magazine,
"One thing about life
is that its hard to know the significance of any event until you can see it
in the rear-view mirror," he said following his election as Board Chair.
"Seemingly small choices can prove to be very significant. So when I was
invited to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa in the winter of 1975, I said
'Sure.' It was one of the best 'little' decisions I have ever made."
"What
I can say now is that Phi Theta Kappa has been an important part of my life for
more than 30 years. And over those 30 years, Phi Theta Kappa has opened my
mind, my heart, and too many doors to count."
Johnson says he
is not alone in acknowledging the tremendous difference Phi Theta Kappa
has made in his life.
"Why do so many of us feel this way? It's the
camaraderie, shared purpose, and community spirit - all made possible
through the commitment of so many of our leaders."
"But none
of it would be possible without the vision and tireless work of our Executive
Director. Phi Theta Kappa is what it is today because of the single-minded
determination of Rod Risley. During Rod's tenure our organization has
evolved into an international powerhouse. Due to Rod's efforts, and those
of leaders like him, Phi Theta Kappa today is changing millions of lives.
And we are only getting started."
