1996

common bond: Alumni who now lead local chapters visors who also earned Society membership share memories, 'p make new ones for future Phi Theta Kappans

At East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., the administration is more than casually aware of its local Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Theta Xi. The college presi– dent. Dr. Eddie Smith, is a member as are the current advisors, Ann Burkes and Shelby Harris, and all were inducted into Theta Xi. In fact, Dr. Smith was the chapter president at the time of Burkes' induction. As a fur– ther testament to the chapter's indelible im– pression made on members, Burkes also re– ports that the chapter has produced at least five current advisors, including herself and Harris --- June Bailey, now at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Jefferson Davis campus; Karl D. Smith at Wallace Community College-Selma in Alabama; and Steve Deaton at Holmes Community College's Goodman campus in Mississippi. Marilyn Swedberg, an advisor at Fergus Falls Community College's Omicron Omi– cron Chapter for the past two years, can share Phi Theta Kappa memories not only as a member but also as a national officer. Swedberg, 1973-74 North Central Vice President, returned to ber alma mater as a counselor and teacher. "I encourage students about what it can mean to be involved be– yond the local chapter level and the impact it can have on your life," said Swedberg. When Allen Hamlin became a member of Delta Omicron Chapter at PalmBeach Com– munity College inLakeWorth, fla., he never dreamed he would one day advise the very

rew Burt knows from experience how The unique perspective these advisors can ntial an active advisor can be to the life bring to their mentoring role of a chapter is chapter. As a student at Seward County more than just a shared honor with the stu– nmunity College in Liberal, Kan., he was dents they are advising.

1cted into the Chi Alpha Chapter in 3. The advisor at the time was battling lical problems and "as a result, Chi Al– was not very active," Burt recalled. The uction ceremony was the only meeting i during his first year of membership. !n that all changed. "A new advisor took :r, called a meeting, challenged the few tS who showed up to raise enough money 11tend the National Convention in Wash– ton, D.C., with a long-term goal of re– ldiog our chapter," Burt continued. "His dershlp and vision lit a fire under us, and :bout his being too involved, we achieved ~ goal of going to Washington." 1w Burt is an advisor for the Alpha Nu ta Chapter at New Mexico State Univer– y at Alamogordo, where he uses his own perience as a member to guide him in his visory role. "I want Phi Theta Kappans . our campus to get the most out of their ~mbership, but 1 try not to be too intru– •e into chapter activities," he said. !though the majority of Phi Theta Kappa tipter advisors are not also members of the )Ciety, a growing number of advisors are.

"I think the fact that I was a member 35 years ago and that I've maintained an affiliation means something (to prospective mem– bers)," said William Davis, Alpha Chi Iota Chapter advisor at Gaston College in Dal– las, N.C., who always mentions his own So– ciety membership at new member orienta- tions. "Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a life-long recognition." Burt makes sure his affiliation with the in– ternational honor society is no secret to any– one. ''Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a life-long recognition," Burt acknowledged. "As a faculty member, I wear my stole and pin at our annual graduation ceremony. When people ask me what they are, I can not only proudly tell them about my aca– de'tnic distinction, I can also point out all the students who are graduating and wear– ing their own Phi Theta Kappa stoles and tassels. It's a chance for me to promote Phi Theta Kappa among our faculty."

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