Jan 9, 2016 - Dr. Stephen Carls completed his two-year term as national president of Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society at the society’s 2016 biennial convention in Orlando, Florida, on January 6-9. His last official act was to pass the presidential spoon of office to his successor, Dr. Jochen Burgtorf of California State University at Fullerton, at the conclusion of the Presidential Banquet on January 9.
Carls performed a variety of tasks while president. He represented the national office at the Tennessee Phi Alpha Theta regional conferences in 2014 and 2015, and he was the national representative at the chartering ceremony of the Alpha-Pi-Gamma chapter at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tennessee, on November 5, 2015. In addition, he voted on new chapter applications and served as a member of the society’s Faculty Research Grant Committee. At the organization’s 2016 convention, he presided at both the national board meeting and general business session, served as a member of two faculty panels, and delivered the main address at the Presidential Banquet on the topic of “Fighting a Total War: French Armaments Production during World War I.” Carls also headed a Union University delegation of five people at the convention.
Dr. Graydonn Tunstall (left to right), Dr. Clayton Drees, and Dr. Stephen Carls take time for a photo prior to their "How to Panel: Fundraising and Chapter Activities" on January 7 at the 2016 Phi Alpha Theta Biennial Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Dr. Stephen Carls prepares to pass the Phi Alpha Theta presidential spoon of authority to Dr. Jochen Burgtorf at the society's Presidential Banquet on January 9, 2016.
Drs. Stephen Carls and Jochen Burgtorf smile during the passing of the Phi Alpha Theta presidential spoon at the end of the Presidential Banquet on January 9, 2016.