Oct 30, 2013 -
Union’s Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society celebrated its 60th anniversary with a luncheon in Union’s Chapman Dining Room on October 30, 2013. Among the attendees were: Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist; Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris; Phi Alpha Executive Director Graydon Tunstall; and several Union University administrators that included President David S. Dockery, Vice Presidents Gene Fant and Carla Sanderson, and Arts and Sciences Dean John Netland. Thirteen Delta-Psi chapter presidents, ranging from Dr. R. G. “Bob” Elliott representing the 1950s to current president Gracie Wise, were also at the luncheon. All told, 36 people participated in the event.
Prior to the formal program, guests sang “Happy Birthday” to Dockery, whose birthday was on October 28. Dockery received a small birthday cake with lighted candle as a part of the ceremony.
Delta-Psi charter member Elliott began the program by recalling the considerable work of Rosa Rutledge, a Union history professor, in the creation of the chapter. Elliott served as the chapter president in 1954-1955.
Mayors Gist and Harris presented the chapter with a joint proclamation of congratulations from the City of Jackson and Madison County. The document highlighted some of the chapter’s accomplishments since its chartering in October, 1953. Wise accepted the proclamation on behalf of the chapter.
Tunstall made two special presentations. First, he conferred an honorary Phi Alpha Theta membership on Dockery for the many contributions he has made to the field of history, both in his writings and in his actions as Union’s president. Dockery has written on such historical figures as Erasmus, John A. Broadus, and Millard J. Erickson, and on historical topics like the early Christian Church, Calvinism, and the Southern Baptist Convention. Dockery’s contributions to history at Union have included the commissioning of a book-length history of the university, the inauguration of an annual Founders’ Day chapel, and the launching of the Heritage Center project in the Carl Grant Events Center. Secondly, Tunstall presented to Delta-Psi presidents Jeffrey Lewoczko and Wise the chapter’s 2013 Phi Alpha Theta Best Chapter Award certificate. He noted that this achievement represented the 11th straight year the chapter has won this coveted prize.
Tunstall also recognized Patricia Dawson, a luncheon attendee, for winning the Lynn W. Turner Prize of $500 for submitting the best undergraduate history paper in Phi Alpha Theta’s 2013 nationwide competition.
Dr. Stephen Carls, the faculty advisor of the Delta-Psi chapter, concluded the program with a few reflections. He explained the connection between the Delta-Psi chapter and Peeps Candies, noting that both began in 1953 and had ties to the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. He recognized the father-son team of John and Ben Burleson, both of whom are members of Phi Alpha Theta. Finally, he had the13 chapter presidents at the luncheon stand as he called out their names and time of service. There was at least one president in attendance for each of the seven decades during which the chapter has existed, going from the 1950s to the 2010s.
Guests at the 60th anniversary luncheon of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta gather outside the Chapman Dining Room prior to the meal. Visible in the foreground are: (front center, then moving rightward) Savannah German (wearing lavender sweater), Jeannie Byrd, Dr. John Netland, and Charles Snow. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Angie Baker Nichols (left) and Allie Durham smile as they wait for all the guests to take their seats at the Phi Alpha Theta 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Attendees enjoy conversation together at the 60th anniversary luncheon of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. They are: (left to right, front table) Grace Morriss (dressed in red), Heather Stricklin, Patricia Dawson, Greg Allison, and Bobby Crawley. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Guests at the head table for the 60th anniversary luncheon of Union's Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta include (left to right, going clockwise) Dr. Gene Fant, Gracie Wise, Charles Snow, Dr. John Netland, Dr. Carla Sanderson, Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist, Dr. David S. Dockery, and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Dr. Stephen Carls (left) talks with Dr. R. G. "Bob" Elliott, a Delta-Psi chapter charter member, during the chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Food Service Director Tony Meek presents a small birthday cake to Union President David S. Dockery at the Delta-Psi luncheon on October 30 in recognition of his birthday on October 28. Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist is on the left and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris is on the right. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Delta-Psi charter member Dr. R. G. "Bob" Elliott talks about the beginning of Union's chapter in the early 1950s at the society's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris reads the joint proclamation of congratulations to the Delta-Psi chapter from the City of Jackson and Madison County on October 30 as Delta-Psi President Gracie Wise observes. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Delta-Psi President Gracie Wise stands with Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist (left) and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris on October 30, 2013, after accepting their joint proclamation of congratulations upon the occasion of the chapter's 60th anniversary. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Union President David S. Dockery (left) accepts his Phi Alpha Theta certificate of membership from Executive Director Graydon Tunstall at the Delta-Psi chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Delta-Psi presidents Jeffrey Lewoczko (second from left) and Gracie Wise hold the 2013 Best Chapter Award certificate that Phi Alpha Theta Executive Director Graydon Tunstall (left) presented to them at the chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Chapter faculty advisor Stephen Carls is on the right. Lewoczko served as the chapter president in 2012-2013 and Wise is the current president. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Dr. Stephen Carls holds up a limited edition packet of 60th anniversary Peeps as he explains the connection between Peeps Candies and Union's Delta-Psi chapter during the chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Dr. Stephen Carls displays the 1953 charter of the Delta-Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society during the chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. Photo by Morris Abernathy
John and Ben Burleson stand together at the Delta-Psi chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. They are a father-son team in Phi Alpha Theta, and both are members of Union's Delta-Psi chapter. Photo by Morris Abernathy
Thirteen Delta-Psi chapter presidents stand together at the chapter's 60th anniversary luncheon on October 30, 2013. They are, along with the dates of their presidencies: (left to right) Caitlin Roach (2011-2012), Jeffrey Lewoczko (2012-2013), Geoffrey Lindley (1997-1998), Angie Baker Nichols (1993-1994), Jack Holmes (1973-1974), Gracie Wise (2013-2014), Beverly Smothers (1974-1975), Dr. R. G. "Bob" Elliott (1954-1955), Nelson Piercey (1967-1968), Greg Allison (1986-1988), David Meadows (1998-1999), Kevin Vailes (2002-2003), and Robert Crawley (1989-1990). Photo by Morris Abernathy