Advisor Honored for 40 Years of Service
Sandi Johnson, Phi Theta Kappa's current longest-serving advisor, was
honored recently for celebrating her 40th
year as a Society advisor at Des Moines Area Community College,
Boone Campus, in Iowa.
Johnson received a special award at the
Association of Chapter Advisors Luncheon held during the 2009 Convention
in Grapevine, Texas, in recognition of her years of service.
When
Johnson became a Phi Theta Kappa advisor, Richard Nixon was president,
America was embroiled in the Vietnam War and Neil Armstrong was planning
to be the first man to walk on the moon.
The year was 1969. Des Moines
Area Community College was just a few years old and ready to charter the Tau
Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Johnson, then secretary to the college dean,
had helped with the charter process and was invited to be a charter advisor.
She accepted because, as she says, "I felt very strongly about honoring
students with high grade point averages."
In her early years
as an advisor, Johnson worked closely with then-Executive Director Dr.
Margaret Mosal. "She was very instrumental in why I continued as an advisor,"
Johnson said.
Over the years Johnson has seen several thousand
students be inducted into the Tau Phi Chapter, and has observed firsthand
how they have benefitted from the Phi Theta Kappa Experience. "Many new
doors have been opened for students because of being involved in Phi Theta
Kappa. Their leadership skills have increased, they also have learned
about community service through such projects as food and clothes drives,
blood and bone marrow drives, cleaning up the environment, keeping our
society green and sending care packages to our military personnel overseas."
Johnson's chapter has been active in the Iowa Region, and she
has received many regional advisor recognitions during the past 40 years.
Her greatest reward, however, has been her involvement with the members.
"I love working with students and seeing them reach their goals and dreams.
I believe in students. I want the students to fulfill their goals. Phi Theta
Kappa students are the cream of the crop - top-notch."
Johnson
has marked her 41st anniversary at Des Moines Area Community College, where
she now works with Student Services. She is a graduate of DMACC, and was the
first recipient of the college's outstanding alumni award. She also graduated
from Iowa State University.
Her husband Harold was a longtime
faculty member and athletic director at DMACC prior to his retirement.
The Johnsons have two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren,
and also served as foster parents to Harold's orphaned nephews.
In
addition to her family involvement, Johnson enjoys many interests and
is an active community volunteer, especially for organizations honoring
outstanding young people, or providing assistance to at-risk youth. She
has received many recognitions for service to her community and the college,
including a mentoring award presented this year by Iowa's governor.
"It
is an honor to serve as Phi Theta Kappa advisor at Des Moines Area Community
College," Johnson said. "Education is a lifelong process and we congratulate
every member of Phi Theta Kappa - you make a difference along with your advisor,
staff personnel, college directors. My wish is to make community college
a very rewarding experience and help our students transfer and pursue higher
educational goals. I am extremely proud of our Phi Theta Kappa members.
Our Boone Campus Tau Phi student members and advisors are great!"
