On Feb 23 a new organization, Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) for professionals educators was installed on campus in an elaborate ceremony. Among those initiated into the organization were Dr. Ray M. Keck, III, president and professor of Spanish, Dr. Dan Jones, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nasser Momayezi, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Regents Professor of Political Science, Dr. Humberto Gonzalez, dean of the College of Education, Dr. Archibald Laud-Hammond, assistant professor of Philosophy and Political Science, and Dr. Barbara Greybeck, associate professor of Education.
The ceremony began with a thought-provoking keynote address delivered by Keck on the topic “What is Quality Education?” after which members were affirmed and the Chapter and its first officers were officially installed.
Dr. Billie Spellman, Phi Delta Kappa director of Chapter Relations recognized Keck, Laud-Hammond, and Greybeck for their services and contributions that resulted in the establishment of the PDK Chapter by presenting them with plaques.
Phi Delta Kappa was founded in 1906 with the mission “to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life.” Its headquarters are located in Bloomington, Indiana. Since its founding, this member-based organization has provided services and memberships to more than 500,000 members in communities across the United Stated and overseas.
There are currently over 650 PDK chapters in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
The idea of establishing a Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa was first conceived by Laud-Hammond in 2005, and he organized it until its official installation and establishment on Feb 23.
The ceremony ended with closing remarks delivered by Jones.
PDK strives to help prepare the next generation of educators, while serving as a resource for current educators.