OJC Press Release ID: 2507

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Rizzuto wins Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction

Vanek honored as a Distinguished Chapter Member

Jim Rizzuto, president of Otero Junior College, received Phi Theta Kappa’s prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, at Phi Theta Kappa’s 98th Annual Convention, April 7-9, 2016 in National Harbor, Md.

College presidents and campus CEOs are selected for this award on the basis of outstanding efforts given toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa. The award is named for the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Phi Theta Kappa's longest-serving Board of Directors Chair and President Emeritus of Highline Community College in Des Moines, Wash.

Mr. Rizzuto was nominated by Otero Junior College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa based on his outstanding support of Phi Theta Kappa and its programs. The award was presented at a general session of the annual convention in front of nearly 4,000 students, advisers and college presidents. Lord John Eatwell, President of Queens’ College of Cambridge was the keynote speaker during the session.

Also in attendance were Otero Junior College members of Phi Theta Kappa: Krista Schleich, Callie Davidson, Chloe Nolan, Maegan Yoder, Larabeth Vanek, Adriana Coniker, and chaperone Aubry Boehme. OJC’s chapter was honored as a 5-star chapter at the International level.

Larabeth Vanek, OJC sophomore, was also honored at the convention as one of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2016 Distinguished Chapter Members. Vanek was nominated through the Hallmark Awards application process, and was chosen based on her embodiment of the Hallmarks of the Society (Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship) through Honors in Action and other chapter activities.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year college students. Since its founding in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has recognized the academic achievements of students in associate degree programs. The society has more than 1,280 chapters located in all 50 of the United States, Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, United Arab Emirates, and U.S. territories.

Approximately 135,000 of the most outstanding two-year college students are inducted into membership in Phi Theta Kappa each year. Phi Theta Kappa offers students opportunities for engaging in scholarly activities, earning academic scholarships, providing service to the community, developing and practicing leadership skills, and enjoying fellowship with other scholars

Jim Rizzuto, OJC president, received Phi Theta Kappa’s prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention.

Larabeth Vanek, OJC sophomore, was also honored at the convention as one of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2016 Distinguished Chapter Members.