Shirley Scarbrough to Receive Prestigious Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award

JACKSON, MS - After 20 years of providing support and leadership to Phi Theta Kappa, Alumni Advisory Council Chairman Shirley Scarbrough will receive the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award at the 2007 International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

Phi Theta Kappa's 2007 International Convention will take place April 12-14 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"I am in absolute shock and I do not know what to say, but I do know that I am so blessed," said Scarbrough. "To be counted among those past recipients, many of them my friends, is the utmost compliment. My experience as a Phi Theta Kappa member has been absolutely wonderful," she said.

The Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award annually recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has been exemplary in meeting the Society's mission through support and leadership locally, regionally and/or internationally. A list of past winners is available online.

"Shirley is very deserving of this recognition provided by the Board of Directors," said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley. "She provides a stellar example of how alumni can provide Phi Theta Kappa support on the local, regional, and international levels," he continued.

Scarbrough became a member of Phi Theta Kappa in 1986 at Jefferson College in Missouri and served as chapter secretary. She received dual bachelor's and master's degrees from Webster University in Missouri.

After finishing school, Scarbrough focused primarily on working for non-profit organizations, enabling her to fulfill a desire to help people.

Scarbrough says it was through Phi Theta Kappa and her advisors that she understood her dedication to help others achieve their goals.

Staying active in community volunteer programs like Camp Hope, a camp for HIV-challenged children, and the Children's Miracle Network allows Scarbrough to devote her time to those in need.

"Phi Theta Kappa's commitment to promoting civic engagement fits well with my life-long goal to make a difference in the community," said Scarbrough. "Through its many service programs and initiatives, I have been able to expand my volunteer service to reach out to those in need and to enhance the communities in which we live," she continued.

A significant accomplishment, Scarbrough believes, has been the opportunity to help establish transfer scholarships for members at her alma mater and at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

"I believe that one of our responsibilities as alumni is to help develop transfer and other scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members. I am proud that I have been able to assist with the development of Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships at two major universities in Missouri," she said.

"Because of personal development and opportunities with Phi Theta Kappa I want to do everything I can to help provide financial assistance to students," she continued.

Scarbrough has received the Missouri Region's Distinguished Member, Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service awards. Jefferson College also recognized her as the College Alumna of the Year in 1996.

A member of Theta of Missouri Alumni Association since 1987, she has held the positions of vice president, secretary/treasurer and currently serves as president. She is the founding charter member of the Missouri Alumni Association and currently serves as facilitator. Scarbrough was also Missouri's Regional Alumni Officer from 1988-1994.

Scarbrough was first appointed to the Alumni Advisory Council in 1998 and served until April 2001. She was then elected in April 2005 by the alumni and served a one-year term. In April 2006, at the end of her term, Risley appointed her chairman of the Alumni Advisory Council.

Scarbrough will speak at the Alumni Reception and Banquet on Saturday, April 14. Following the banquet, she will be presented with the achievement award at the Hallmark Awards Gala.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, is the largest honor society in American higher education with 1,200 chapters on two-year and community college campuses in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than two million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 100,000 students inducted annually.