North Harris College
President receives Shirley B. Gordon Award
Dr. David Sam, president of
North Harris College, was recently awarded the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at
the 2002 Phi Theta Kappa International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
Established in 1918 by Missouri two-year college presidents, Phi Theta Kappa is the
largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.3 million members and
1,100 chapters located in 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada, Germany, and Japan. In
1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the
official honor society for two-year colleges and in 2000 the Association of College Honor
Societies recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the general scholarship honor society serving
associate degree granting institutions.
The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction honors outstanding community college
presidents, which have provided extensive support and a variety of resources for their
colleges' Phi Theta Kappa chapters. This includes faculty advisor release time, a
line-item budget for the chapter, financial support for chapters to participate in
regional and international events and scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members. Many
of these award-winning presidents also speak at their chapter inductions, serve as
statewide Phi Theta Kappa presidential ambassadors and coordinate All-State Academic Team
programs. The Shirley B. Gordon Awards are named for the President Emeritus of Highline
Community College, now serving as chairman of the Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors.
"Due to Dr. Sam's unprecedented support, the Alpha Alpha Rho Chapter has been awarded
the Most Distinguished Chapter in Texas - the highest recognition regionally for the
second consecutive year. The chapter has been recognized internationally too," says
Laura Dupree, chapter advisor.
"Dr. Sam's leadership is the vehicle that has allowed Alpha Alpha Rho to make
considerable impacts on the campus and in the community. Dr. Sam participates at chapter
events, sharing information about his culture, participating in AIDS Day at NHC, serving
on panel discussions, and traveling to Phi Theta Kappa functions and conventions,"
says Dupree.
"Dr. Sam's support is vital
to the chapter's success and we thank him for his leadership," says Lynda Dodgen,
sociology professor and chapter advisor.
According to Dupree, Alpha Alpha Rho's awards include: Top 25 in the Fellowship Hallmark
for promoting and embracing scholarly fellowship including: tutoring, servicing the local
chapter and community members, and designing unique ways to celebrate the year's PTK
Honors Study Topic, Customs, Traditions, and Celebrations: A Drive for Community.
Additionally, Alpha Alpha Rho was awarded Top 100 Chapters and the Freeman Science Award.
North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one mile south of FM 1960,
between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. Registration for summer and fall 2002 classes is
now in progress. For more information about the college, call 281-618-5400 or send e-mail
to: nhc.start college@nhmccd.edu
|
