Awards

The Phi Delta Kappa Chapter at Texas A&M-Commerce honored several educators
last Thursday evening at their annual banquet, held in Rockwall at the
Luigi's Restaurant. The Association's chapter at Commerce celebrated its
50th anniversary by recognizing educators. The chapter has been making these
awards since 1977.

 Jeannette O'Neal, Principal of Routh Roach Elementary School in Garland
ISD, was honored by the Phi Delta Kappa Chapter with the 2007 Distinguished
Leadership Award. Ms. O'Neal's school has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon
School by the US Department of Education and also as an exemplary rated
school in previous years by the Texas Education Agency.  Ms. O'Neal received
her masters and administrator's certificate from TAMU-Commerce. She led the
Routh Roach Elementary school to its honored status, despite it having an
80% minority population with many ESOL students.

Dr. Gene Burton, superintendent of Rockwall ISD, was honored by Phi Delta
Kappa chapter with the 2007 Distinguished Service Award for his
contributions to education. Dr. Burton has had a 27 year involvement with
A&M-Commerce as student, principal, superintendent, and stakeholder of the
University.  He serves now in advisory capacities with the University and
through the Partnership that Rockwall ISD has with this University. He
completed his masters, doctorate and certifications through A&M-C.

Dr. Barbara Hammack was recognized on 10 May by the Phi Delta Kappa Chapter
for her contributions to education and to Phi Delta Kappa with more than 20
years as a member of this chapter.  She is a faculty member in the
Curriculum and Instruction Department and specializes in early childhood
education.  She teaches and supervises both graduate and undergraduate
students. For approximately 7 years she also was part of the International
student program that A&M-Commerce has going to the UK, based in London at
University of London. Dr. Hammack is pictured with Jim Vornberg, who made
the presentation.
 

Dr. Charles W. Blanton was also recognized by the chapter for his long
service to education and to Phi Delta Kappa. Dr. Blanton has been a PDK
member also at the UNT/TWU chapter and has taught in educational leadership
at TWU, UDB as well as at Commerce.  He is currently teaching in that
department and has done so in adjunct positions over the years.  He had a
long and distinguished career as a Dallas ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch
principal, serving at elementary, middle, and high school levels.  He also
consults on quality programs in education with numerous schools and
districts in several states.  Dr. Blanton is pictured with Casey Brown and
Caroline Vornberg, both PDK officers.
 

Distinguished Educator awards:

The Distinguished Educator awards were established by the chapter in 1977. The awards are intended to recognize and honor educators who have distinguished themselves in their profession through leadership and service to education. The distinguished service award is bestowed upon a person who has demonstrated several years of exemplary service as a teacher, professor or in supporting the education process through their work. The distinguished leadership award is bestowed upon an individual who has demonstrated several years of exemplary leadership in the profession. These are awarded to public school educators, educators in higher education or individuals who have served through entities such as service centers, agencies, or research centers. Chapter members are eligible to nominate candidates for the selection committee to consider. The nominees must be graduates, faculty, students or former students at A&M-Commerce or educators in the service area of A&M-Commerce. Nominees need not be Kappans to be considered. The committee may not chose to make an award in any given year.

The 2006 Leadership Award was Presented to Dr. Bruce Wood, superintendent of Kaufmann ISD.

The 2006 Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Bruce Wood, superintendent of Kaufman ISD.  Dr. Wood has long been a supporter of TAMU-Commerce where he received his doctorate.  He served as superintendent of Terrell ISD before moving to Kaufman ISD after a short retirement when he also taught half time for the University.  He is noted for his involvement and leadership in educational policy with the state legislature.  Terrell ISD school board named the Dr. Bruce Wood Intermediate School after him several years ago.  He just recently retired from the active superintendency as of December 2006.

The 2006 service award was presented to Dr. Debra Nelson, superintendent of Frisco ISD.

The 2006 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Debra Nelson, assistant superintendent of Frisco ISD. Dr. Nelson received all of her degrees from TAMU-Commerce.  She began her career as a teacher, becam e a principal in Kaufman ISD and later moved to Coppell ISD where she honed her skills as a principal.  She moved to the assistant superintendency in Frisco ISD, where she has served for a number of years.  Interestingly Dr. Nelson served as the chair of the textbook selection committee early in her career, a task that was quite involved and pressure oriented at that time.  When asked how that experience was, she indicated that it was “an experience that every educator should have during their career.”

 

The PDK Service Key is awarded for outstanding service to education and the association over a period of years. The chapter executive committee considers the question of recommending an individual for the Service Key which is then sent to the PDK Board of Directors for confirmation. Nominees must be Kappans for at least seven years and given leadership and support to programs and projects of PDK.

The 2006 awards were made to the following members:

Dr. Frank Lutz, Professor emeritus of educational administration, at A&M-Commerce.  Dr. Lutz’s career has included being a member of the faculty at NYU, Penn State, and Eastern Illinois, in addition to A&M-Commerce. He has published 7 books and a hundred plus journal articles, chapters, and monographs.  He completed 13 years and retired from the faculty here.

Ms. Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, chairman of the Texas State Board of Education. She was elected to the board and appointed as chair by the governor.  Ms Miller has been a long time state board member and has had important influence in our field, impacting the State of Texas through policy and programs.

Dr. Arnold Oates, retired superintendent and college faculty member.  Dr. Oates completed his Ph.D. at then ETSU and left shortly thereafter to be a superintendent in Virginia.  He returned to Texas about 1978 as superintendent of Greenville ISD and later was superintendent in Northeast ISD in San Antonio.  He joined the faculty at Texas A&M University for a number of years where he trained superintendents and chaired doctoral committees. Retired now he resides in Tyler, but continues activity in education through his consulting and speaking.

 

Recipients of the Distinguished Educator Awards

 

Distinguished Leadership Award

Ralph Poteet
James Vornberg
John Horn
Carol Francois
Genevieve Brown
Bruce Wood

 

Distinguished Service Award

R. P. Campbell
Joe Farmer
Mike Cardwell
James Terry
Debra Nelson

 

 

  Dr. Jim Vornberg (right) presents Dr. Frank Lutz with PDK Service key. Dr. Lutz is Professor Emeritus in Educational Administration.

 

 

Dr. Jim Vornberg (right) presents Geraldine "Tincy" Miller, Chairman of Texas State Board of Education with the PDK Service key for her years of policy leadership in education at the State level.

 

 

Dr. Debra Nelson (left) , assistant superintendent at Frisco ISD, received the PDK Distinguished Service Award from the Chapter. Dr. Bruce Wood and his wife Susie. Dr. Wood received the PDK Distinguished Leadership Award for 2006.