Dr. Gordon was one of Phi Theta Kappa’s greatest champions, who believed that our Society possessed the critical ability to foster academic excellence, build self-esteem and unleash the leadership potential of hard-working students. She loved learning, students and faculty, she loved Highline Community College and she loved Phi Theta Kappa. We will all join together to carry on her wonderful legacy of scholarship, leadership, service and commitment.

Rod A. Risley
Executive Director
Phi Theta Kappa

Dr. Shirley Gordon may have been small in stature, but she was a giant among community college presidents. Shirley was a leader and an innovator and a visionary who from her earliest years at Highline understood the impact that community colleges would have on American education. She wanted to ensure that community colleges were recognized for their educational excellence, and she supported the mission of Phi Theta Kappa, to recognize community college students for educational excellence. I was privileged to present her the 2005 American Association of Community Colleges’ National Leadership Award in 2005, in recognition of her significant contributions to the Community College Movement.

Dr. George Boggs, President
American Association of Community Colleges
Member, Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors

In my office at the hospital is a gift from Shirley that I will always treasure. It is a simple metal desk ornament from her days at the college that says “Excellence”. When I look at it I see Shirley in deep thought, pointing her finger slowly up and down and giving me encouragement. It meant so much that Shirley would entrust her legacy of excellence with me. The author Pearl Buck had to be thinking of Shirley when she said, “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.

Mark Benedum
Administrator, Highline Medical Center

Dr Shirley Gordon dedicated her life to education and to improving the lives of students. Her devotion to Phi Theta Kappa enriched the experience for thousands of members and advisors. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors under her inspired leadership, and even more fortunate to have felt the stimulation of her superior intellect and the warmth of her friendship.

Dr. Jo Marshall, President
Somerset Community College, Kentucky
Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, 1995-2000

It is my privilege to add my comments to those of the many former and present officers and members of Phi Theta Kappa in honor of the life of service that Dr. Shirley Gordon dedicated to this organization. I had the pleasure and honor of serving with Dr. Gordon as a member of the Board and to address the challenges that confronted us at the time — such as, one example of many, the coordination of the alumni and core member groups as one functioning group. Another example is the vision and strides made to secure a permanent home for the organization. Through these experiences, and many others, I learned and witnessed first-hand the steady hand and visionary spirit that guided Dr. Gordon. In my view, she had but one singular goal - securing that which is best for the overall good of the organization. Those of us who knew her and had a chance to work with her will surely miss her indelible smile and enthusiasm; yet, we will long remember and be challenged and encouraged to continue the pursuit of excellence that she so ably exemplified.

Anthony “Tony” Sadberry
Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, 1990-96
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Trustee, 2007 - Present

Dr. Shirley Gordon was an inspirational leader distinguished by her keen intelligence, insight, and humanitarianism. Her impressive record of accomplishments attests to the energy, enthusiasm, and commitment that she brought to every project and evinces what can be achieved by one genuinely dedicated to service to others and to the common good.

I am reminded of Tennyson’s depiction of Ulysses when I think of Dr. Gordon’s spirit, a spirit “strong in will/ To strive to seek, to find, and not to yield.” She was a remarkable woman, a role model for us all. During my two terms on the Board of Directors I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Gordon in her role as Chair. Her love for the Phi Theta Kappa family was readily apparent, as was her dedication to the best interest of the organization and its membership. She was a woman guided by wisdom, experience, and vision—and one whose grace, charm, and humor brighten any room. I am honored to have known a woman of her caliber.

Dr. Martha Wilson
Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors, 2001-2007
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Macon College, Georgia

As we go through life we meet a lot of people, but only a few “gems” stand out in our memories…Shirley Gordon is one of those “gems” for my memory bank. She was an early pioneer and an outstanding leader in the development of the Community College movement across our nation. During my decade as the President of the American Association of Community Colleges I often turned to Shirley Gordon for advice and help. She was a student-centered leader . . . She would often say, “Students come first!” In that context, Shirley had a deep love for Phi Theta Kappa and all that it represents. She was a scholar in her own right and she spent much of her professional life encouraging scholarly work and activities among Community College students and faculty. With the passing of Shirley Gordon we have not only lost a wonderful colleague, but I have lost a warmhearted friend . . . She set the pace for many of us.

Dr. Dale Parnell
President Emeritus
American Association of Community Colleges