Friends of Phi Theta Kappa Establish Endowment to Support Convention, Institute Scholarships
Longtime Phi Theta Kappa advisor Harvey Cooke of Missouri and his wife Phyllis
have established a Planned Gift for Phi Theta Kappa, to endow scholarships
to the International Convention and International Honors Institute.
Cooke
was charter advisor at Metropolitan Community College, Penn Valley Campus,
in Kansas City, from 1969 until he retired in 1995. "Some of the students
came to me in 1969 and asked me to be advisor of a new campus honor society,"
he said. "I did not know then I would be the advisor for 26 years."
Cooke
served Phi Theta Kappa in many leadership roles - as alumni advisor, as a
member of the Board of Directors for five years, from 1980-85, and as host
to three Kansas City National Conventions, in 1974, 1979 and 1983.
He
had been an advisor for just two years when he and his chapter chartered a
bus and headed for the 1971 National Convention in Biloxi, Mississippi.
There he met Dr. Margaret Mosal, Phi Theta Kappa's Executive Director,
beginning a friendship that lasted until Dr. Mosal's death in 1987.
Cooke
also has close ties to current Executive Director Rod Risley. Risley was
elected National President in 1974 at the first Kansas City Convention
hosted by Cooke's chapter. Cooke later was a member of the Board of Directors
that chose Risley to succeed Dr. Mosal.
"Dr. Mosal set the example
of fellowship. And we have a great guy in her place! I'm very proud to have
served on the Board when Rod was named Executive Director," said Cooke.
"My
work with Phi Theta Kappa was the highlight of my college career," he continued.
In addition to his Phi Theta Kappa responsibilities, Cooke taught accounting
and other business subjects at Metropolitan Community College, eventually
becoming chair of the business division.
When making their
estate plans, Cooke and his wife wanted to help students, and decided to
establish an endowment for Phi Theta Kappa.
"We wanted to promote
education," said the longtime teacher. "Phi Theta Kappa does that and more.
The Conventions are absolutely wonderful - they would turn anybody on!
I enjoyed these and the Honors Institutes both so much."
Cooke
remembers how much the recognition afforded by Phi Theta Kappa meant to
his chapter members. He made Phi Theta Kappa a very special part of their
college experience, beginning with the induction.
"We always
had a banquet," he said. "We invited college administrators and local leaders
to let them know that we were promoting academics."
"Our chapter
was very successful on campus and brought a lot of attention to the college
from the community," he said. "Students really valued their participation
in Phi Theta Kappa - they enjoyed the fellowship, they maintained their
grades and they developed as leaders."
"I saw a lot of growth
take place in Phi Theta Kappa over the years," said Cooke. "Phi Theta Kappa
gives you an association with students who share the same abilities and
the same goals. This is a great organization. I miss it but had to retire sometime!"
Cooke still visits the college, and often hears from former
students. He and his wife remain active in the community and in their church,
and enjoy time with their grown children and grandchildren.
"We
deeply appreciate the trust and faith Harvey and Phyllis have shown in Phi
Theta Kappa through their Planned Gift," said Executive Director Rod Risley.
"Harvey Cooke is a longtime friend who always worked hard for his chapter
and for the entire Phi Theta Kappa organization. Harvey and Phyllis will
leave a legacy that will make a real difference in the lives of our members,
by making it possible for them to expand their Phi Theta Kappa experience
by attending International Conventions and Honors Institutes."
For
information on Planned Giving and other support for Phi
Theta Kappa, contact Director of Institutional Advancement
Nancy Rieves
at 601.984.3537.
