Champion Figure Skater Named Phi Theta Kappa's 2005 Distinguished Alumnus
Jackson, MS -- Michael Weiss, three-time U.S. National Champion Figure
Skater, accepted Phi Theta Kappa's 2005 Distinguished Alumnus Award during
the Society's International Convention in Dallas.
Weiss received
the 2005 Distinguished Alumnus Award during the Opening Ceremonies of
the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention on April 14. The Olympic skater
and two-time World Figure Skating Championship Bronze Medalist was nominated
by his Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Prince George's Community College in Maryland.
"We
do not bestow this prestigious award based on accomplishments alone, instead
we choose a nominee who also lives out the ideals of Phi Theta Kappa," said
Society Executive Director Rod Risley, in making the presentation. "Michael
Weiss certainly meets that criteria. In spite of keeping a hectic travel
and performance schedule, he has found time to reach out to others and earned
his reputation as a champion BOTH on and off the ice."
Michael
has been honored for his support of charitable and service organizations,
including the Special Olympics, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Best
Buddies, an organization benefiting persons with developmental disabilities.
He also established the Michael Weiss Foundation to provide financial
support and inspiration to young skaters.
"For all of this,
we wish to add another medal to Mr. Weiss's large collection of them," Risley
said. "This medal does not proclaim a national or world skating championship,
but it does convey our Society's highest honor given to an alumnus."
Dr.
Charlene M. Dukes, Vice President for Student Services at Prince George's
Community College, brought greetings on behalf of the college, and Anson
Kausenberger, President of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Prince George's
Community College, presented Weiss with a Phi Theta Kappa pin.
Weiss
expressed his gratitude to the group and said that in a world filled with
athletic honors he was proud to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa for his academic
achievements.
"Although my siblings and I were all athletes, my father
always stressed the importance of academics," Weiss said. "Before very
long my athletic career will be over -- I'm fortunate that I had the opportunity
for an outstanding education at Prince George's Community College."
Weiss holds many firsts for skating achievements, including being
the first to land a back flip with a full twist - a move known as the Tornado
- in a professional competition, in December of 2002.
He is also
one of the first skaters to have earned the U.S and World Junior Champion
and U.S. Senior Champion titles. Weiss is known as one of the few American
men who can successfully land a quadruple jump in competition.
His
honors include a Skater of the Year Award and four Performance of the Year
Awards from Skating Magazine; U.S. Olympic Committee Skater of the Year;
and 1999 Father of the Year, presented by the National Fatherhood Initiative.
Phi
Theta Kappa was founded in 1918 and in the past 87 years has inducted almost
two million honor students. The Society began formally recognizing its
Most Distinguished Alumni in 1970. When appropriate, the Society has selected
a recipient who has, through their professional or personal endeavors,
provided substantive contributions toward improving the quality of life
on national or international levels.
In its 87 years of existence,
Phi Theta Kappa has bestowed this honor on only 34 individuals. Past recipients
have included journalist Jim Lehrer of the McNeil-Lehrer Newshour, former
United Nations Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, country music entertainers
Rudy Gatlin and Trisha Yearwood, industrialist H. Ross Perot, oceanographer
Dr. Sylvia Earle and musical conductor Gerald Steichen.
Headquartered
in Jackson, Mississippi, Phi Theta Kappa includes 1,200 chapters on two-year
and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany,
and U.S. territorial possessions. Approximately 100,000 students are
inducted annually.
