Events

2011 PDK Annual Dinner

        The annual PDK chapter dinner was held on May 12, 2011, at the Luigi’s Restaurant in Rockwall. The guest speaker was Dr. Brent Donham, of the A&M-Commerce's engineering department who discussed STEM program development and the role that universities and public schools are taking into the development of this much needed effort to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs in public school. President Dan Jones, also a Kappan, was present for the event and spoke briefly about this important program. Annual scholarships were awarded by the chapter to Jennifer Beard, Undergraduate teaching candidate; Erica Contreras, masters degree candidate; and Jane Braddock, doctoral degree student.

        The PDK Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Martha Foote, head of the Curriculum & Instruction Department, for her long service to the programs at A&M-Commerce as professor and department head. She received her doctorate from UNT and has been a moving force for many years since joining the faculty. The chapter announced that Dr. Stacey Edmonson, an A&M-C EdD graduate who is now head of Sam Houston State University Department of Educational Leadership received the Distinguished Leadership Award for her leadership in educational administration programs. These include a national and state impact where she has served as President of Texas Council of Professors of Educational Administration and now serves as executive director of that organization. She has also served a 3 year term as board member of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration. (The presentation will take place later as she was unable to be present due to commitments.)

        Dr. Phillip Gilbreath, director of Career and Technical education in Garland ISD, was presented with the Phi Delta Kappa Service Key. He has served as an educator for 43 years in Texas and as a PDK member for 27 years.

        Dr. Sam Roberson, chapter president, conducted the installation of PDK officers for 2011-12. The new officers and contacts may be found under the Officers on the website.
 

Dr. Brent Donham

Both entertained and informed the members with his presentation on STEM programs

and their coordination and impact on both public and higher education.

 

Table pictures at the chapter awards banquet

 

Jennifer Beard, teacher candidate, accepts the Undergraduate student scholarship from Dr. Joyce Miller and Dr. Caroline Vornberg.

 

Erica Contreras, C & I masters student,

receives the masters scholarship at the meeting.

 

Jane Braddock, doctoral student, receives the doctoral scholarship

from Drs. Joyce Miller and Caroline Vornberg.

 

Dr. Martha Foote is presented the PDK Distinguished Service Award

for 2011 by Drs. Miller and Vornberg.

 

Dr. Phillip Gilbreath accepts the PDK Service Key award, granted by PDK International Board, for his long service to education and PDK.

Dr. Sam Roberson and Jim Vornberg present the Key.

Dr. Sam Roberson installs the 2011-12 officers

who will guide the chapter over the next year.

 


Job Seeking Workshop Offered to soon-to-be Graduates

PDK Chapter 101 presented a job search workshop at the Metroplex Center on 12 April. About 50 so to be education graduates were able to hear Mr. Jed Reed (former A&M-Commerce graduate) , director of Personnel in Garland ISD, and Dr. Michael Copeland, director of personnel in Rockwall ISD, discuss searching and obtaining a position in these difficult times. Dr. Chuck Holt, another Kappan and faculty member in educational leadership joined Reed and Copeland in a question and answer session fielding questions from the soon to-be graduates. Each of the participants also were able to experience a mock interview session and also have their resumes critiqued. The 3 ½ hours event was a tremendous success as attested by the participants. Following the workshop 27 of the participants participated in the induction ceremony to join the PDK Chapter.

Dr. Michael Copeland discussing attributes and goals to help in obtaining a position.

 

Dr. Chuck interviewing one of the soon-to-be graduates practicing for the real interview.

Group picture following the Induction ceremony

Fall PDK Meeting, 2010

December 7, 2010
Metroplex Center 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Leadership Room

 
Mrs. Mavis Knight

          Mrs. Mavis  B. Knight, member of the State Board of Education, spoke on the work of the Texas State Board of Education at the December 7, 2010,  Phi Delta Kappa meeting.  Mrs. Knight described the functions of the board and gave us a great view of how the political aspect of the board impacts the outcomes which emerge from their work.  She gave many examples of how the policies of their work impact the curriculum of the public schools and how such changes develop with the composition of the board after each election.  The viewpoints from the perspective of Mrs. Knight help us understanding the ultimate outcomes of the SBOE from  the value perspectives of a political organization.  We were both entertained and informed with her perspective.

          Mavis B. Knight was elected to the State Board of Education in November 2002 and re-elected in 2004 and 2008. She has extensive experience in community support efforts, with more than 30 years of volunteer service working with civic and education organizations to provide mentoring and other services to youth, families, and senior citizens. She has served as secretary of the State Board of Education and presently  serves as vice chair on the board's Committee on School Initiatives.

          Knight has won much recognition for her community service such as the State of Texas Senate Certificate of Citation for Community Service; National and Texas PTA Life Membership; Texas PTA Extended Service Award; Dallas Veterans Hospital Volunteer Award; A. Maceo Smith Community Service Award; Maura Award; Women of Spirit Award; and the St. Paul United Methodist Church Community Service Award, among others.

          Knight attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU) where she earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees, both in psychology. An honor graduate of NCCU, she had experience administering diagnostic reading tests and prepared study materials for the Reading Laboratory. She also has had work experience as an instructor, substitute teacher, test monitor, and social services eligibility specialist, working with the food stamp program. 

She is married to Richard Knight, Jr., and they have three adult sons and eight grandchildren.

 

As a member of the State Board of Education, Knight represents parts of Dallas and Tarrant counties.

 

 

PDK Chapter's 2010 Annual Banquet

Dr. Lemanski delivers the program address for the chapter membership attending the banquet.

Dr. Madeline Justice and her husband James following the meeting.

 

Dr. and Mrs Lynn (Alene) Turner attending the meeting. Dr. Thomas was Dr. Turner’s doctoral advisee in 1977.
Members and guests are actively visiting during the meal.

 

Gail and Albert Thomas chat with Bob and Gayle Riley. Albert and Bob  were doctoral students about the same time in the 1970s. Dr. Bob Riley received the 2009’s Distinguished Leadership Award.

            On May 13 the annual chapter banquet was held at Luigi’s Restaurant in Rockwall with Dr. Larry Lemanski, University Provost and VP for Academic Affairs.  Dr. Lemanski discussed the need for cooperation and partnerships between both institutions of higher education and school districts in successfully meeting the challenge in the 21st century for educating our citizenry and in developing the best efforts for both research and service to our community and nation. Dr. Lemanski also described many of the efforts of A&M-Commerce that are presently underway and discussed some other plans that the University is looking to in the future.  Dr. Lemanski joined the administration about 11 months ago after serving as senior vice-president for research and strategic initiatives at Temple University and professor of anatomy and cell biology in the College of Medicine at that institution. His PhD was completed at Arizona State University in zoology. The University’s President, Dr. Dan Jones, who is a member of our Chapter, was also present at the banquet.  

Fall PDK Meeting, 2009

        

       

           Representative Patrick, a long-time educator and now a member of the State Legislature’s House of Representatives was our speaker for the Fall PDK meeting on November 4. She addressed the recent Legislature actions in education and the results of what was passed and signed into law in May and June.  A crowded room greeted Dr. Patrick as she explained the situation that Texas finds itself in with respect to the financial situation that is expected over the coming two years.  She took questions from the audience and interacted with members and guests over issues that the legislature and the state faces. Dr. Patrick is a former teacher and administrator in the public schools and has served on the board of education in Arlington ISD as well as the State Board of Education.  Before being elected to the House of Representatives, she was a professor at University of Texas at Arlington. She currently serves as a member of both the House Public Education Committee and the Higher Education Committee; consequently she is most knowledgeable about all that occurred related to education in the recent session.

          Dean Brent Mangus and President Dan Jones also were present and gave some brief remarks at the meeting.

Spring 2008

          Phi Delta Kappa's 2008 annual banquet was held in the spring at Luigi's restaurant in Rockwall on May 8. Dr. President McFarland and his wife Nancy were featured guests for the event; Dr. McFarland gave the featured presentation for the evening and discussed the progress made over the recent past at the University.  Dr. Patricia Williams, from Sam Houston State University, installed our new officers as our district representative on the PDK International Board. Mr. Mark Patton was installed as President. (The complete list is on the chapter officer roster, found elsewhere on the website.)

          Mark Patton, incoming president for the chapter presented recognitions for Teachers of the Year from Royse City ISD, Rockwall ISD, and Commerce ISD that were part of our ceremonies for that evening.

          Dr. Keith McFarland received the PDK Ideals Award for his contributions to education in leadership, research, and service. Dr. Kenneth English was presented the 2008 Distinguished Leadership Award and Mr. Harvey Hohenberger, Executive Director of Region 8 ESC was presented the 2008 Distinguished Service Award.  

          Dr. Caroline Vornberg, our outgoing chapter president, was presented the PDK Service Key for her work for the chapter and her leadership these past two years.  Also Dr. Sherion Jackson, past chapter president for two years, was presented the Service Key in absentia. Sherion is now in Virginia, but had a significant impact on our chapter’s programs.

          Dr. Joyce Miller announced the chapter’s scholarship awards made to Shelley Garrett of Rockwall ISD (graduate) and  Patrice Woodson (undergraduate). Shelley Garrett has graduated with her EdD and Ms. Woodson is now in her senior year.

       

       

       

         

         

   Chapter’s 50th Anniversary

          PDK’s Chapter 101 honored nominees for teacher of the year as part of the celebration of the Chapter’s 50th anniversary. On November 9th a reception was held for Nominees of Wal-Mart’s teacher of the year program from schools in the A&M-Commerce service area. Frank Winstead, a national speaker and author on teachers who make a difference for their students, gave an outstanding presentation for this stellar occasion. Mr. Winstead was a teacher and principal of the year in Mississippi early in his career. Now retired, he provides speaking and professional development presentations to various educational groups such as Phi Delta Kappa and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Music for the reception was provided by the flute quartet from the Department of Music of the University while the buffet was continuing during the reception. The event was held at the Metroplex Center in Mesquite.

          The Chapter was founded on July 19, 1957 after Dr. H. M. Lafferty worked for many years to be allowed to establish the chapter. One hundred one petitioners were the original signers of the charter for the chapter, more than any new chapter had, at least to 1957. More history about the chapter can be found on the website.

                    

   

  

Phi Delta Kappa Chapter at A&M-Commerce cosponsored, with the College of Education and Human Services, the appearance of Dr. Rod Paige, former secretary of education for President Bush’s first term.  Dr. Paige spoke on his experience as Secretary of Education and some of the issues that the nation faces in education including No Child Left Behind, vouchers and Reading First programs.  About 140 students and faculty, a standing room only crowd, attended the presentation on April 11th at the Metroplex Center.  We are indebted to the assistance of Dr. Mike Moses, Meadows Professor of Educational Leadership at A&M-Commerce, to arrange Dr. Paige’s appearance for the evening.  He also spoke to the Superintendent’s cohort class later.

Dr. Lynn Turner & Dr. Alonzo Sosa, retired professors and long time PDK supporters, at Spring Banquet.

Dean Dr.Frank Ashley with Dr. Frank Lutz and Susan Lutz. Dr. Lutz received the Phi Delta Kappa service key for his many years of work & research in education.

Dr. David Brown presents Dr. Bruce Wood, Kaufman ISD Superintendent, with Distinguished Leadership award given by chapter.

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.

Dr. Casey Brown, Chapter President 2005-06, presents Dr. Sandee Crowther, our district representative and banquet speaker, with token of chapter's appreciation.

Last Updated on Tuesday, May 31, 2011