2002

WEEK OF l\\ \_'..._ \t~ /_( C L -----

Dr. Beverly Oliphant gets award

A distinguished career in the field ofmedicine has earned a prestigious honor for East Central Community . College alumnus and Leake County native, Dr, Beverly Oliphant of Annandale, Va. Dr. Oliphant, former inter– nal medicine specialist with the U.S. state Department in Washington, D.C., was present– ed Phi Theta Kappa International Hono·r Society's Most Distinguished Alumna Award for 2002 at the organiza– tions' 84th Annual Convention held April 5 in Nashville, Tn. More than 4,000 Phi Theta Kappa members, advisors, alumni and college presidents from around the world were in attendance at the awards cere– mony, held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. In making the announce– ment, Rod A. Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. said of Dr. Oliphant ~or. Oliphant's distinguished pro– fessional accomplishments have earned her this presti– gious recognition. Fewer than 30 Phi Theta Kappa members. among the Society's member– ship of 1.5 million, have been accorded the honor Most Distinguished Alumnus in the Society's 80 years of existence... Risley further added, "Only alumni who have provided sub– stantial contributions toward improving the quality of life on national or international levels through professional or person– al endeavors are selected for this singular recognition."

the world.

demic community in particular. It reflects the principles laid down by the Founding Fathers and instilled in all of us as Americans. The Freedoms of Democracy silently infuse the actions of us all. n Past recipients include for– mer United Nations Ambassador J eane J . Kirkpatrick; Jim Lehrer, Lehrer Newshour; Astronaut Fred Haise, Apollo XIII; Dr. William Roper, Director, Centers for Disease Control; and H. Ross Perot, entrepre– neur. Dr. Oliphant retired earlier this year following 26 years service as a Federal Physician. The past 23 years she served as an Internal Medicine Specialist with the Foreign Service Section of the U.S. State Department Medical Unit. Her duties included providing med– ical care for ambassadors and their families, which covered treatments for mternational injuries an

Dr. Oliphant, daughter of Mrs. Ira Henry and the late Mr. Henry of Edinburg, was valedictorian of her 1957 grad– uation class at Edinburg High School. She enrolled at East Central the following summer having received a scholarship from a Carthage civic club in recognition of her academic achievements. She became a member of Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa on Dec. 9. 1957. Regarding her time spent at East Central, Dr. Oliphant stated: "I am so pleased to rep– resent my alma mater, East Central Community College in Decatur. Were it not for the .teachers and support staff of East Central who believed in me when I was truly, truly pen– niless, I could not have served humanity through the art and science of medicine, even :n America! My mentors saw th~ , though empty in pocket, my mind was full of fire and my heart had heard a call to go beyond the edge of personal fear to explore the realm of possibil– i~· y.·herein lies opportunity."' ISh.... further commented: -E~r ]entral j, more than a mere colle~e. I~ ~ves more than de~ Their curricula very adequatel) prepared illl– dent~ to meet the c:hallenges of any fie.d they choose at the end of two.} La~, " East ~entral honored Dr. Oliphant ~elecung her "Alumna of the Year" in 1985.

APP

Prior r... e£Inmn~ her work .. with the SLte Department. Dr. ~RTHAGIN IAN f: Oliphant wa"' employed with .=SHOBA DEMO-:..C...;.;RA __ T_ ______ the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals at the SOCial Security :WTON RECORD ---------------------------------- AdministratiOn m Arlington, :RIDIAN STAR Va. She has aho ~en·ed as an ----------- instructor at George ARION-LEDGER________ Washington Umversity

In accepting the award, Dr. LAK Oliphant commented: "I grate- fully accept this award of excel– SCO lence which is truly not as per– UNI( sonal as it might appear at first WIN sight. It is as much about oth- ers as about me and I would SPIF say even more so. It reflects positively on my family and teachers from grade school onward. It reflects on my com– munity at large and my aca-

Medical School and has lec– tured on various medical topics in the capital area and around