"When it came time to begin a fledgling chapter of Phi Theta Kappa it was through [President Billiris'] guidance and encouragement and tenacious support that saw the birth of Alpha Zeta Tau in the year 1981 with but a handful of students. He has constantly supported every activity, with the attitude that if it succeeds it is of great benefit to the college and students and if it fails, the lessons learned by the student are just but another part of the ongoing educational process. But seldom has he ever negated that which the members of Phi Theta Kappa have attempted unless he saw something, which might be considered contrary to college policy, and even then, he would seek out answers or help us in trying to find solutions by suggesting alternative courses of action."

From the nomination by Alpha Zeta Tau Chapter

Dr. Jerry Carroll
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"Dr. Carroll provides direction and motivation for the members of Alpha Pi Nu in every way he can. He gladly sends out letters to prospective members and provides funds so that the chapter can travel to regional and international events. He is generous with campus facilities and supports the advisors when they must take time off to work with Phi Theta Kappans or attend meetings. As all college chief executive officers, Dr. Carroll has numerous activities he must attend every week, so the Alpha Pi Nu chapter did not expect that he would attend each Phi Theta Kappa induction, but he does. He also tries to participate in each of the fund-raisers and hallmark activities."

From the nomination by Alpha Pi Nu Chapter

"To support Phi Theta Kappa's mission, President Guengerich encourages Theta Omega to participate in all regional and international programs by providing financial assistance. To illustrate, in addition to last year's donation, President Guengerich committed to donating $500 in 2001 to the Illinois Honors Endowment. This generosity will expand student participation at the Regional Honors Institute. He further encourages participation by supporting any officer's decision to campaign for a regional or international office. During the last Illinois Regional Convention, for instance, Wright College donated campaign materials to Theta Omega's campaign for Illinois Regional Vice President. Furthermore, President Guengerich provided additional funds to allow for expanded convention attendance."

From the nomination by Theta Omega Chapter

"Dr. Hansen met our need for representation. She attended and participated in induction ceremonies for our chapter. Each year, the All-Kansas Academic Team Scholar Recognition Banquet finds Judith Hansen in attendance. She has given much encouragement to develop an honors leadership seminar, and has proposed honors classes to the ICC Board of Trustees, a goal she plans to fulfill in the near future. Dr. Hansen not only speaks for us with her own voice, but made available the opportunity for an officer of Phi Theta Kappa to give presentations to the Board of Trustees. Beta Omega advisors recently presented to the board the chapter's success at reaching the 5-Star goal."

From the nomination by Beta Omega Chapter

"[Dr. Hite] has given his unflagging support to securing instructional resources for the chapter's travel and inductions. He has allocated funds from his presidential budget to finance a chapter trip to Headquarters and to support membership travel to the International Honors Institute. This year, the Chapter successfully secured line item budgeting, which was a first in the history of student organizations at Cleveland State. This would not have been possible without his support. In his efforts to assist the Chapter, Dr. Hite has solicited financial funding from community organizations and a local bank has adopted the chapter."

From the nomination by Omega Omicron Chapter

"Dr. Hughes attends our inductions and many Phi Theta Kappa functions we schedule as a chapter. He has never turned us down, unless it was due to a previous engagement, booked in advance. Dr. Hughes has also helped us make our induction a special evening occasion, by helping us afford a reception in our members' honor. Even through Dr. Hughes has over two hundred employees, three sites, a new facility that opened recently, and two more buildings under construction, he never forgets Alpha Beta Epsilon and the members' academic achievements. The students and members of Alpha Beta Epsilon are the reason for our college."

From the nomination by Alpha Beta Epsilon Chapter

"Dr. King is an excellent example of what every college president should be in relation to Phi Theta Kappa. He is a cheerleader for our chapter and the Region, a provider of financial support for our chapter, an active participant in the chapter's campus programs and activities, and a strong active supporter of the Regional programs. Best of all, he is the kind of person who is a student-oriented leader whose office door is open to students, and whose mind is open to student ideas and enthusiasm."

From the nomination by Upsilon Upsilon Chapter

"Dr. May's support extends beyond our internal functions to the direction of our Chapter programs. Each year he facilitates our Chapter's honoring of young scholars in our Elementary Academic Excellence Program in individual school assemblies as well as at the citywide ceremony that brings the young scholars, their parents, and college and school officials together on our campus. For our 80th Founder's day, he approved and helped us choose a suitable site on which to plant an oak tree. Dr. May has made the campus facilities available for regional conferences, and he has taken an active interest in their success and welcomed the participants to our campus."

From the nomination by Alpha Rho Theta Chapter

"Dr. Meadows was instrumental in the establishment of a Phi Theta Kappa chapter on our campus and that was one of his first goals when he became our President in 1996. The Beta Delta Rho Chapter was chartered in August of 1996. The success of our chapter would not have been possible without his leadership and support. The chapter has flourished, receiving a Journey Challenge Trophy in 1999 for its membership growth. Dr. Meadows is also very involved in Phi Theta Kappa on a state level. He has been the driving force behind the All-Alabama Academic Team winners so that a capital campaign will not have to be undertaken each year to raise the funds for scholarships for these very worthy students. The enthusiasm that is growing in the state for this program is due to his leadership in this area."

From the nomination by Beta Delta Rho Chapter

"Dr. Morgan recognized the need for an area to foster leadership skills of Phi Theta Kappans and placed Holmes as a forerunner in the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development class. He provided the opportunity for faculty from each campus to become certified and approved the leadership class for academic credit. As a guest lecturer for the class, he has shared his visions for the future of Holmes as well as the future of each student. Dr. Morgan champions leadership skills as a necessity for students in careers of the future. Students are very comfortable exchanging ideas with Dr. Morgan, realizing that he truly has their personal interests at heart."

From the nomination by Alpha Lambda Sigma, Kappa Alpha and Alpha Mu Beta Chapters

"For the past two years, Dr. Muse has assisted with travel funds to attend the International Convention, and he has opened the door for our chapter to receive funds through student activities funding and from the Dean of Students Office. He was also instrumental in budgeting money for our advisor to be paid for teaching our Phi Theta Kappa Leadership/Orientation class for chapter officers and Hallmark coordinators. Until that point, our advisor had been teaching the class without compensation. Dr. Muse is also supportive of our chapter programs and brings our accomplishments to the attention of the campus and the College Board. Last year when our chapter won regional and international awards, Dr. Muse invited the advisors and chapter president to attend a Board meeting for special recognition."

From the nomination by the Gamma Lambda Chapter

"President Nutter has supported Phi Theta Kappa in the most important way possible, by his continued willingness to invest the school's resources as well as his time and energy to create an environment conductive to academic excellence and community service. This commitment was demonstrated again this year when Phi Theta Kappa was moved to Academic Affairs from Student Services and its budget increased. This emphasizes Phi Theta Kappa's role as an organization dedicated to developing and recognizing academic excellence. Professor Carl Sennhenn, chapter advisor for much of President Nutter's tenure, described Dr. Nutter's commitment to Phi Theta Kappa simply, 'He never said no to any request.'"

From the nomination by the Alpha Eta Alpha Chapter

"Dr. Olson attends every induction ceremony (there are three per year now). He participates with opening remarks about the importance of Phi Theta Kappa membership and the Four Hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. His presence and active support also trickles down to the faculty and staff. The faculty presence has increased at induction, which has an added benefit of showing the students they are concerned for their continued success. During our orientation and family cookout for our new members, it is not unusual for him to drop by and visit with the students and share in our fellowship. This willingness on his part to meet in an informal atmosphere with the students also gives them the added feeling of success and in being a member of Phi Theta Kappa."

"Phi Theta Kappa has always been important to Dr. Owen and he has always established a chapter in the colleges where he has served. Dr. Owen has established a total of three chapters in his career including the chapter here at Piedmont Community College. The members of our chapter can always find an ear in Dr. Owen, and they know that they can always find help with any special projects for the chapter. For example, Dr. Owen, with his President's discretionary fund, paid for two advisors and two students to attend the Regional conference in October. He is a dedicated, ardent supporter of the principles exemplified by Phi Theta Kappa. His service to the community, his leadership and his scholarship serve as benchmarks for our chapter to emulate."

From the nomination by Alpha Upsilon Theta Chapter

"Dr. Rom participates actively in all of our chapter functions. In the past eleven years, he has missed only one of our twice-yearly inductions. In addition to speaking at our inductions, he tries to attend our new member orientations. He speaks to the soon-to-be new members about the importance of getting an education rather than just a degree and tells them becoming a member and participating in activities are the most positive steps they can take in getting an education. Dr. Rom was a founding member and major supporter of our Angel Fund by personally sponsoring students who cannot afford the Phi Theta Kappa membership fee."

From the nomination by Alpha Zeta Epsilon Chapter

"Dr. Shellito has always maintained an open-door policy for students. His military experience shows through in the type of outfit he runs. He is a no-nonsense person, honest and fair, always willing to listen and give you the benefit of the doubt. Personal and professional growth of students is evidenced through is support for innovative new ideas for the various clubs on campus…Dr. Shellito is a mentor to student leaders. He has set a leadership standard that his high, yet attainable, and is a key proponent in keeping this college and its students on the cutting edge of technology. He is not only a college president; he is a staunch student advocate. Dr. Larry Shellito is a true Phi Theta Kappan."

From the nomination by Alpha Pi Phi Chapter

"Dr. Thor is our greatest cheerleader. She allocates money generously for advisors and students to attend all regional and international Phi Theta Kappa functions and conventions, she enthusiastically supports students annually entering the All-Arizona Academic Team competition, and she encourages students to take leadership roles in service and scholarship programs by planning and implementing all aspects of the events. She is a strong advocate of chapter members running for regional offices (leading one to become a regional vice president), giving chapter updates to the college Board members and delivering graduation commencement speeches."

From the nomination by Alpha Theta Omicron Chapter

"While the office of President and CEO of Tulsa Community College certainly wields power, one suspects that none of that matters to Dr. Dean VanTrease. Among faculty, he is a scholar, open to the latest ideas to enhance the educational outcomes for students. Among peers, he is a respected leader who relentlessly pursues what is best for our institution. Among Phi Theta Kappans, he is the root from which all of our accomplishments have grown. If the officers and members of Alpha Zeta Alpha Chapter have been successful, it is because we have been taught by a man whose disposition has earned not only our respect, but also our sincere affection. Phi Theta Kappa and its members are a priority for Dr. VanTrease."

From the nomination by Alpha Zeta Alpha Chapter

"Dr. Voelter further demonstrates his support of Beta Alpha by providing discretion for chapter projects that benefit both the college and community. At the beginning of the year, he met with our chapter president and advisors in order to discuss the incorporation of the Honors Study Topic into our Comprehensive College Project. It was decided that this year's project would consist of a lecture series with follow-up activities related to education, the arts and science. These projects were tremendously successful and allowed our members to promote the four hallmarks to the members of our campus and community. Our success was made possible through Dr. Voelter's guidance and commitment to excellence."

From the nomination by Beta Alpha Chapter

"From the rush to help us charter the Beta Beta Sigma chapter five years ago to setting up and funding a Budget Center for our chapter this year, President Diane Carey Woodruff, PhD, has encouraged Beta Beta Sigma to soar as high as our wings can take us. A role model for Napa Valley College students and a true Phi Theta Kappa heroine, our president has made this chapter her clearly loved priority…She has paid for attendance to regional conferences, sent three people to International [Convention] last spring and always supported the All-USA Academic Honors winners by attending the ceremony at our State Capitol and introducing these winners at a Board of Trustees meeting."

From the nomination by Beta Beta Sigma Chapter