Alpha Chi National Honor Society
2008 Business Meeting
Region III Convention
Renaissance Asheville Hotel
Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I. Dr. Judy Cheatham (Greensboro College), President
of Region III of Alpha Chi, called the business meeting to order at
11:00 AM. She introduced the other attending officers of Region
III: Dr. Gregory A. Clemons (Mars Hill College), Vice President, and
Dr. Jonathan Thorndike (Belmont University), Secretary-Treasurer.
Dr. Cheatham thanked the Alpha Chi sponsors and students for attending
the convention. She asked the participants to say hello to
someone whom they did not know at each table.
II. Dr. Cheatham distributed minutes from the 2007
Region III business meeting in San Antonio. The minutes were
approved as published.
III. The first item of new business was to review the
Region III chapter sponsor’s meeting held on Friday, March 14 in the
afternoon. Sponsors were divided into four groups facilitated by
Dr. Diann Jordan (Alabama State U), Dr. Rob Merritt (Bluefield C), Dr.
June Hobbs (Gardner-Webb U), and Dr. Peter DeWitt (Shorter U).
When the group re-assembled, sponsors expressed their view that Alpha
Chi is at a crossroads. Dr. Dennis Organ and the National Council
have done an excellent job at growing the organization. Sponsors
expressed profound gratitude for the leadership and oversight provided
by Dr. Organ. The region feels that upon Dr. Organ’s retirement,
it is time to move to the next level and pursue a full-time executive
director using a national search process. The new executive
director should be highly visible and engaged in national-level
publicity and fund raising for Alpha Chi. Dr. Tesmer moved that
Dr. Organ be offered a full-time position as executive director of
Alpha Chi if a new position was created prior to Dr. Organ’s
retirement. The motion passed.
IV. Dr. Cheatham mentioned the ongoing discussion in
Alpha Chi about moving away from a regional/ national structure towards
a single unified national organization. The final traditional
Region III convention could be this one in Asheville. The next
two trial combined national-regional conventions would occur in 2010
and 2012. Dr. Cheatham said that there would have to be a
revision to the Alpha Chi by-laws before a permanent change could be
instituted. Dr. Millsaps announced the dates for the next two
Alpha Chi conventions in Indianapolis (2009) and in Little Rock (2010),
which would be the first new combined national-regional meeting
structure.
V. Dr. Thorndike distributed copies of the 2007
financial report and reviewed it. The Region III investment
account value declined by almost $11,000. Receipts from the
national office declined by almost $4,000. Disbursements were
higher because Region III increased already generous subsidy
amounts. The amount spent on chapter subsidies was close to
double comparing 2006 with 2007 because Region III wanted to encourage
more participation at San Antonio. Last year for one year only,
Region III raised the chapter subsidy amounts from $300 to $500 for the
sponsor and $500 for the student delegate. Each student making a
presentation received $100, and the maximum benefit was a very generous
$2,500 per chapter for San Antonio. Chapter subsidies were
discussed at length. Dr. Millsaps moved to continue for 2009 the
2008 subsidy levels of $300 for Sponsor and Delegate and $100 for
student presentations with the maximum benefit at $1,500. The
motion passed. The financial report was accepted.
VI. The Nominating Committee presented nominations
for incoming Vice-President with a two year term of office (Dr. June
Hobbs) and Secretary-Treasurer with a second four year term of office
(Dr. Thorndike). Dr. Cheatham invited nominations from the
floor. None were received. Dr. Hobbs and Dr. Thorndike were
unanimously elected. Dr. Clemons assumed the post of President of
Region III.
VII. Dr. Cheatham invited nominations for the new
Student Representative for Region III. Dr. Millsaps and Dr.
Thorndike spoke about the responsibilities of the Student
Representative. The following students nominated themselves and
gave brief speeches: Stephanye Anne Gay (Carson Newman C); Holly Gunn
(Chowan U); Don Hughes (Shaw U); Jennifer Cheek (Gardner-Webb U);
Andrew Shumate (Bluefield C); Stephen Ray (Shorter C); Jeff Barnes
(Milligan C). Don Hughes was elected and Jeff Barnes was chosen
as the alternate Student Representative.
VIII. Dr. Cheatham announced the names of the two
$1,000 Region III Scholarship winners: Stephanye Anne Gay of
Carson-Newman College for her oil painting art exhibit and Meredith
White of Gardner-Webb University for her research essay “The Rhetoric
of Obituaries.” Dr. Thorndike will send letters and checks to
each student and college.
IX. Dr. Cheatham recognized the thirteen Alpha Chi
Region III Chapters winning the “Star Chapter” Awards. A student
delegate from each chapter came forward to receive the certificate for
each school. In order to receive the Star Chapter Award, local
chapters must have a minimum of one sponsor and one student delegate
attending the convention, a minimum of one student presentation, at
least one Nolle and/ or Benedict scholarship application, sponsorship
of at least one scholarly program, new members must be inducted and
registered, and the Annual Chapter Report must be filed with the
National Office by September 1: Lipscomb University, Gardner-Webb
University, Catawba College, Carson-Newman College, Belmont University,
Mars Hill College, Milligan College, Methodist University, Strayer
University, Shorter University, Roanoke College, Chowan University, and
Christian Brothers University.
X. Dr. Cheatham asked that graduating seniors stand
up to be recognized, and any students currently accepted into graduate
school could announce their chosen schools. The students named
Vanderbilt, Indiana, Tennessee, Carnegie Mellon, and Pennsylvania State
Universities as chosen future graduate programs.
XI. Dr. Cheatham asked past officers of Region III to
stand up for recognition: Dr. Garner, Dr. Tesmer, Dr. Millsaps, and Dr.
Baker were congratulated. Alpha Chi Sponsor Dr. Sinnott was
recognized as having served 30 years as an Alpha Chi chapter sponsor at
Catawba College. Dr. Cheatham and Dr. Clemons were thanked for
their diligent efforts at organizing the convention in Asheville.
XII. Dr. Clemons distributed door prizes.
With no further business, Dr. Cheatham adjourned the
meeting at 12:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Jonathan L. Thorndike
Secretary-Treasurer
Region III Alpha Chi
2008 Convention Delegates Listed by College or University
*indicates presenter
Alabama State University, AL Eta
David Harmon, Sponsor
Diann Jordan, Sponsor, Delegate
Britney Braxton, Delegate
Shelisa Brooks
Belmont University, TN Eta
Dr. Sarah Ann Stewart, Sponsor, Delegate
Dr. Jonathan Thorndike, Sponsor
*Lindsey Huskey
*Stephen Valenta, Delegate
Bluefield College, VA Kappa
Rob Merritt, Sponsor, Delegate
Leah Woodrum, Delegate
Amy Creasy
Lisa Robinson
*Andrew Shumate
Carson-Newman College, TN Delta
Dr. Mark Borchert, Sponsor, Delegate
Dr. Ellen Millsaps, Sponsor, Representative
from National AX Executive Council
*Afua Owusu-Baafi, Delegate
*Stephanye Gay
*Stephanie Harris
*Shannon Korda
Catawba College
Bethany Sinnott, Sponsor, Delegate
*Blair Elder, Delegate
*Meagan Kittle
*Aileen Thomson
Chowan University, NC Phi
Danny Moore, Sponsor, Delegate
Syble Shellito, Sponsor
*Rachel Rodil, Delegate
*Brittany Bennett
*Ashley Brooks
*Holly Gunn
*Vivian Preston
Christian Brothers University, TN Theta
Dr. Randel Price, Sponsor, Delegate
Jennifer Aldrich, Delegate
Clearwater Christian College, FL Theta
Dr. Catherine Anthony, Sponsor, Delegate
*Amy Feeser, Delegate
*Sarah Filliben
*Breanna Richardson
Faulkner University, AL Delta
Dr. Carl Cheatham, Sponsor, Delegate
Dr. Andrew Jacobs, Sponsor
*Katie Simmons, Delegate
*Jennifer Ezell
*Emily March
Audrey McMullen
*Heather Waller
Freed-Hardeman University, TN Iota
John McLaughlin, Sponsor, Delegate
*Nicoll Burleson, Delegate
*Loren Brown
Justin Burleson
Gardner-Webb University, NC Zeta
Dr. June Hobbs, Sponsor, Delegate
*Natalie Pippin, Delegate
*Jennifer Cheek
*Sarah Fisher
*Noelle Flauaus
*Katie Garahan
*Kevin Graybeal
*Whitney Hooley
*Sarah Huskey
*Matt Walters
*Meredith White
Greensboro College, NC Xi
Dr. Judy Cheatham, Sponsor, Delegate
Lauren Engle, Delegate
Lipscomb University, TN Kappa
Dr. Lin Garner, Sponsor, Delegate
Michelle Putnam, Sponsor
*Jesse Smith, Delegate
*Erin Brosey
*Casey Mask
*Hannah Ruehl
Mars Hill College, NC Epsilon
Dr. Gregory Clemons, Sponsor, Delegate
Methodist University, NC Mu
Mrs. Linda Gravitt, Sponsor, Delegate
*Erin Welden, Delegate
Deepak Shrestha
*Benjamin Gray
*Tenille Woodward
*Jen Hicks
Milligan College, TN Nu
Dr. Lori Mills, Sponsor, Delegate
Dr. Linda Doan, Sponsor
Dr. Bob Mahan, Sponsor
Anna Gindlesperger, Delegate
Jeff Barnes
*Kelly Slocum
Miss. State University-Meridian, MS Zeta
Dr. Vicki Gier, Sponsor, Delegate
Roanoke College, VA Eta
Michelle Hagadon, Sponsor, Delegate
*Jake Bennett, Delegate
Shaw University, NC Eta
Dr. Patricia Nwosu, Sponsor, Delegate
Dr. Lillian Cummings, Sponsor
*Christina Morgan, Delegate
Donald Hughes
*Patricia McCullers
Rayna Minnigan
*Glanda Taylor
Shorter College, GA Theta
Dr. Peter DeWitt, Sponsor, Delegate
*Steven Ray, Delegate
Southern Polytechnic State University, GA Nu
Dr. Mark Stevens, Sponsor, Delegate
*Sandra Hofman
*William Parker
Strayer University, DC Gamma
Dr. Floyd Tesmer, Sponsor, Delegate
*Joshua Barnes, Delegate
Tennessee Wesleyan College, TN Gamma
Dr. Joyce Baker, Sponsor, Delegate
Jane Moore, Delegate
Tougaloo College, MS Epsilon
Mary Davis, Sponsor, Delegate
*Charnise Virgil, Delegate
Tusculum College, TN Alpha
Nancy Thomas, Sponsor, Delegate