Ruth Randall to Receive Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award
Ruth Randall, 2009 recipient of the Board of Directors Alumni Achievement
Award, uses a quote from astronaut James Lovell to express her feelings
about Phi Theta Kappa: "There are people who make things happen, there are
people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened."
Phi Theta Kappa, she says, makes things happen for community college students.
Randall,
an alumna, advisor and longtime Regional Coordinator, knows that Phi Theta
Kappa can make things happen for students, because as a student the Society
made things happen for her.
Randall was inducted into Phi Theta
Kappa at Johnson County Community College in Kansas. She had returned to
school as an adult, seeking a new career and positive changes in her life.
"I was looking for a home, and I found one at my community college and in my
Phi Theta Kappa chapter."
Randall immediately became active
in her chapter, serving as an officer, preparing the chapter yearbook for
the national competition, and writing entries that won Hallmark Awards
for her advisor and a fellow chapter member.
The next year Randall
herself was a winner, of the Bierkoe Distinguished Member Award, although
she was not able to attend the Convention, and knew little about Phi Theta
Kappa's then-national organization.
Randall transferred
to Mid-America Nazarene University and returned to Johnson County Community
College as an assistant with the Honors Program, which includes Phi Theta
Kappa. Soon she was serving as an advisor, and learning all about Phi Theta
Kappa Headquarters. After earning a master's in English from Baker University
she began to teach and was eventually named Director of the college's Honors
Program.
Randall and her chapter won many awards. "What was
most exciting, beyond the awards, was having two International Presidents
from our chapter, Thomas Jordan in 1998-99 and James Daugherty in 2002-2003."
"I
saw the growth that both of them experienced in those roles and the opportunities
made available for them in their year in office. This was very rewarding
to me as an advisor and mentor."
When Randall became Kansas Regional
Coordinator, she also worked closely with the two International Vice Presidents
from Kansas, Brandon Marsh and Steven Hassenplug. "I remember Brandon
did not want to speak in public, but had to make a choice and learn to be confident
as a public speaker before running for regional office. He became so comfortable
with public speaking that he decided to run for International Office."
Randall
herself has won the Paragon, Giles and Continued Excellence awards for
advisors, has served on the Honors Committee and as a Faculty Scholar. She
has been active with the National Collegiate Honors Council, serving on
their board and various committees.
Randall is completing
her doctorate in Educational Leadership, and in 2008 she was named Dean
of Curriculum and Academic Quality at Johnson County Community College,
which necessitated her stepping down as a Coordinator and advisor. But
she will still oversee the Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa chapter at
her college, and will still be involved as an alumna.
"It's important
for alumni to stay involved for several reasons - first, because Phi Theta
Kappa membership becomes a great network for careers. I have met members
and advisors and continued to stay in touch - now more than ever, members
need this built-in support. That brings me to the second point - Phi Theta
Kappa brings you into contact with people who share your successes, who
shore you up if you fail, and are always ready with advice and help - they become
another family.
"Beyond that, we owe the Society our financial
support because if a member has ever received a scholarship or an award,
gone to a Convention or an Honors Institute, heard a speaker that inspired
them - then they should 'pay it forward' and provide resources for future
members to have these same experiences.
"As I said, Phi Theta
Kappa makes things happen. We see students all the time at our community
college, who come here either to enhance their skills or explore their options
and find their future. Phi Theta Kappa gives them a root foundation and a
place in the community college to meet fellow members, to form fellowships
and to find a purpose. They find a home in Phi Theta Kappa - find where their
talents lie - where they can direct their enthusiasm and energy."
Randall
will receive the Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award at the 2009
Convention's Alumni Banquet, and will serve as the Banquet's Keynote Speaker.
For information about the award and a list of previous honorees, visit the
Alumni
website.
