On January 24, 1906, Phi Kappa Mu (Bergstrom Chapter) was organized at Indiana University. On May 13, 1908, Phi Delta Kappa (Alpha Chapter) was organized at Columbia University. On February 23, 1909, Nu Rho Beta was organized at the University of Missouri. In March of 1910, an amalgamation conference was held in Indianapolis, Indiana and plans for what we now know as Phi Delta Kappa (and referred to in subsequent pages of this document as PDK) took shape. On March 16, 1911, Phi Delta Kappa was chartered at Indianapolis, Indiana and incorporated in the state of Indiana. The “professional fraternity in education” was to be based on research, service and leadership.
The forerunner of field chapters emerged in November of 1912, with the formation of the Stanford Alumni Association. PDK was established as an all- male fraternity. (It would not be until 1999, after the 1974 inclusion of women into PDK, that an amendment changing the fraternity designation to association was passed through chapter referendums.) The national newsletter of PDK appeared in 1915, and The KAPPAN, the national magazine, came along in July of 1916. By 1920, five districts had been organized and national dues established at $1 per year. In February 1923, an Executive Secretary was authorized and “life membership” defined.
In 1946, the Executive Council authorized formation of chapters outside the United States. In 1954, the National Board selected Bloomington, Indiana as the site of International Headquarters and the new Headquarters Building was occupied in 1955. In 1965, PDK dropped the Greek letter chapter designation. Chapter range from the 50 United States to Guam, Canada, Isthmus of Panama, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Germany, United Kingdom, Benelux. Italy, Spain, Bermuda, Phillipines, Korea, Australia, Thailand, Korea, Japan and Taiwan.
On February 13, 1974, PDK took a memorable action – voting women into the fraternity for the first time. Bessie Gabbard - who later was known and beloved as the “First Lady of Phi Delta Kappa” - became the first woman initiated into PDK and remained a driving force until her death in 2001.
In 2000, significant changes to the PDK Constitution changed the scope and sequence of PDK into the organization that it is today. Shortly following, the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter revised its’ own Constitution/ByLaws to reflect the international document.
On September 18, 1972, the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa
received its’ charter. (Even though the name of the chapter remains the “Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter”, it soon invited membership from the
surrounding parishes of Webster and DeSoto. ) Fifty-three men signed that
charter, and the list reads like a “Who’s Who” of the very best of the Caddo and
Bossier public school systems in 1972. The first president was Harry Miley, a Caddo educator and administrator. Chapter members whose names appear on
that charter include: George P. Hendrix, Gaius Hardaway, Earl McKenzie, John
Rhodes, Theodore Kauss, C.L. Sanders, Dennis Wade, John Moore, James
Sullivan, Dan Waters, George Tucker, John Mulloy, Charles Varnell, Billy
Hudson, James B. Childs, Harry Miley, Stanley Powell, B.E. Tabarlet, Gerald
Pruett, Frank Rayson, Earl Turner, Leonard Hennigan, Edwin J. Holt, Clay Brock,
Charles Cozean, Dave Gray, C.D. Rich, Leroy Graves, Price Paul, A.L. Crowson,
Powell Layton, Don Truly, Dewey Thacker, Thomas Archey, B.L. Shaw, Henry
Franklin, Ed Willey, Frank Sanders, Joseph Garner, C.K. Johnson, W.C. Patterson,
Rogers Martin, J.D. Courtney, Robert Horneman, Joe Langdon, John Wood,
Bruce Middlebrooks, George Kemp, Lonnie Dunn, John Skinner, Charles
Lummus and R.W. Knight. (One name is illegible.) All of the men made a
significant impact on public education in our area, as well as contributing their
expertise far and away from the Shreveport-Bossier City area. They were truly
giants in the field of public education, and forces with which to be reckoned in
their communities as well. They laid a firm foundation for a chapter which
would soon become known as an outstanding chapter, both in our own region
as well as in the International Phi Delta Kappa organization.
Following the change in the International Constitution which permitted the initiation of women in 1974, the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter initiated its’ first women members in the 1975-76 year. Though there was some hesitancy on the part of some of the male Kappans, it wasn’t long before the women began to make an impact on the chapter – and the chapter hasn’t been the same since!
In 1997, our chapter celebrated its’ 25th Silver Anniversary with special programs and recognitions of its’ members with membership recognition certificates. Tee-shirts and bumper stickers proclaimed “PDK – 25th Silver Anniversary, 1972-97.”
Meetings provide fellowship, networking, good food, and entertaining and informative programs. Programs have ranged from educational matters such as panels of student teachers or parish superintendents, testing questions, issues facing schools such as gangs, campus violence and security, or financial questions.
In the 1980’s the local chapter sought and received a grant to provide a workshop at a Bossier City hotel/convention center; the topic was “gang awareness” and brought in local law enforcement officers to educate administrators and school representatives about gang signs, gang apparel and graffiti, and gang recruitment on area campuses. Attendees left with prepared materials as well as contacts in local law enforcement agencies whom they could call upon for future help.
It has not been unusual to have Kappans and/or persons from outside the chapter and outside the state come to share their time and expertise with us. We have sponsored fastback authors, contributing financially to the publication of a fastback and thus having that author spend an evening with us at a chapter meeting. We have had numerous international officers visit us, an invitation to our chapter being a most welcome invitation! Before the recent reorganization process re-structured PDK “areas”, area coordinators were frequent and welcome visitors.
At our meetings, you will see us proudly display our PDK banner, personalized for our chapter. The banner was first displayed at a national meeting in 2001 and made available for purchase by local chapters. The colors of PDK are red and white, and red and/or white carnations are the PDK flowers. Initiates receive a carnation just before they are introduced to begin the initiation ceremony or may be given a red/white ribbon insignia to wear to identify themselves as new initiates at the spring initiation. Little touches such as these add meaning to chapter gatherings.
Originally composed of school and central office administrators, the chapter has more recently opened its’ membership to the classroom teacher as well – recognizing the direct influence these persons have in the development of the student, and closing the “gap” between the “administrator” and the “classroom teacher.”
The Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter has always been a vital part of area leadership conferences, both as the sponsoring chapter and as participants throughout the state. These leadership conferences were planned months in advance and the local chapter provided hospitality, large and small-group sessions, luncheons, entertainment, registration procedures, door prizes, lodging arrangements – whatever it took to make fellow Kappans from throughout the state feel a week-end in our area had been well-spent! In 1998, the local chapter wrote a guidebook for hosting an annual Leadership Conference, entitled “The Nuts and Bolts of a Phi Delta Kappa Leadership Conference.” Copies were distributed to all Louisiana chapters and even to some out-of-state chapters at the request of our Area Coordinator. A copy of the guide was requested for the files of International Headquarters in Bloomington.
The local chapter recognizes those individuals and groups who have contributed meritoriously during past years with five awards, given at the final event of the current academic year – the initiation of new members/installation of officers banquet at the end of the school year. Nominations in writing, with an explanation of why the nominee’s name is being submitted for consideration, are received from chapter members soon after the first of the year, and final decisions are made by the Executive Board of the local chapter. The names of these recipients are closely-guarded secrets until their names are actually announced during the evening’s program.
Three of the awards are memorial awards, honoring three now-deceased chapter members who provided leadership through their roles as educators, school board presidents, college faculty members, parish superintendents, committee and task force chairs and members, mentors, Kappans, and outstanding community leaders – in both their professional and personal lives. The three men whose names signify these coveted awards were all charter members of the local chapter when it was formed in 1972 and faithful members throughout their lives.
These awards may not be given each year – only in those years in which the Executive Board remembers the spirit in which the award was first proposed, and the qualities the nominee exhibits in meriting the recognition.
The Partners in Education Award recognizes a person, business, agency or organization – outside the professional education community – who has shown exemplary support of public education . These persons are not Kappans, but have proven themselves to be supportive of public education through either financial support or hands-on activities. Diverse honorees include Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Poch, Junior Achievement, the Willis-Knighton System, Bossier Medical Center, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Dr. Joe White, Schumpert Medical Center, Judy Godfrey, Bell South Systems, Jean Wuertele, Sheila Juneau, Tony King/KRMD, Hibernia National Bank, Dr. Phillip Rozeman, Bossier Federal Credit Union, Porter’s Cleaners, Gwen Campbell/KTBS, and the Louisiana PTA.
The Joseph D. Garner Leadership Award honors an individual educator whose professional career exemplifies the highest traditions of leadership to which Phi Delta Kappa is dedicated. Both the late Dr. Garner and his wife, Geraldine, were long-time members of this chapter. Joe was a teacher, a member of the Caddo Parish School Board, and a college professor – but, first and foremost, he was a teacher/child advocate his entire life! The award recognizes someone who not only takes a leading role in the local school system but who stretches out to an inter-parish, statewide and even national audience to encourage excellence in both curriculum and administration.
The Earl McKenzie Memorial Award honors a Kappan who exemplifies the
highest ideals of Phi Delta Kappa International, and was the first award to be
presented by the local chapter years ago. The late Dr. McKenzie was a high
school teacher – parish supervisor – college professor – and Superintendent of
Caddo Schools. The award recognizes a person who exhibits the qualities of this
man: a dedication to students and teachers and support staff, character
representative of the highest ideals of Phi Delta Kappa, and a proven record of
helping others through a lifetime of service. It is the highest honor the local
chapter bestows, with the exception of the Service Key.
The Bobby Tabarlet Memorial Award is the newest of the cherished recognitions,
given for the first time in 2000 – honoring an individual who exemplifies
his/her love of our profession through accomplishments, daily work, and
relationships with others in a positive and upbeat way – while committed to
academic excellence, credibility and professionalism. The late Dr.
Tabarlet was an early chapter president, and served as advisor for several
years. Best remembered to local Kappans as a member of the LSU-S faculty, both
Dr. Tabarlet and his wife, Anne, were dedicated members of the local chapter.
The Phi Delta Kappa Service Key is awarded only through the recommendation
of the local Executive Board, with the approval of Phi Delta Kappa International
and may or may not be given each year. It is generally given to a past president
or Executive Board member, but may be awarded to any local Kappan in good
standing who has given service to the chapter in a meritorious manner. Only Executive Board members may nominate a chapter member for this distinct
honor. The prospective honoree must have contributed significantly to the
chapter and must have been a member in good standing of PDK for at least
seven years preceding the date of application for the award. This chapter has
presented the Service Key only to past presidents, with two exceptions.
In 2001, the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter received international recognition when Penny Claudis was named one of only 14 women of Phi Delta Kappa International to receive the one-time-only Bessie Gabbard Award, celebrating the leadership of women in their professional and community lives, as well as being active and dedicated Kappans. The Executive Board submitted Penny’s name for consideration and selection was based on a portfolio submitted by each nominee. Selection was made through the International Office and culminated in an awards presentation in Louisville, Kentucky on November 3, 2001.
The chapter also presents grants each year to deserving classroom teachers and prospective college students who plan to major in education. Nominations are made each spring and committees of the local chapter read the proposals and recommend a recipient to the Executive Board. A member of the Executive Board serves as the liaison for these grants.
The Phi Delta Kappa Educational Grants are made available to any educators in our membership parishes. The original grant, awarded for research in the field of education, is for $750.00. In 1993, the Executive Board recommended that a second grant be established. This mini-grant, in the amount of $1250.00, is to be used in funding an innovative or exciting program or special need. Grants are anonymous and separately scored by a group of qualified peers of the chapter, and are awarded on a points basis. Any teacher working in a public school in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto or Webster is eligible to apply. The teacher applying for the grant does not have to be a member of PDK.
Students in our membership parishes may also apply for a scholarship grant to be used for college expenses. These students, who plan to pursue a career in education, are notified of the application process through their counselors and submit their applications to the local chapter. Following established guidelines, applications are scored and points given in several categories. This grant is awarded at a spring meeting of the chapter, at which time the winner is recognized, along with his/her parents/guardians.
From at least the year 1982 until recently (when the new PDK Constitution
and Bylaws were approved), the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter was
consistently named the Outstanding Chapter in Area 7G. Points were awarded
in such areas as number of active members, members with up-to-date paid dues,
attendance at monthly meetings, number of meetings held each school year,
quality of the newsletter, and number of awards presented each year. (It became
the constant nightmare of each new president that the #1 chapter status would
be lost during his or her administration, and outgoing presidents heaved audible
sighs of relief when the chapter was notified that it had retained its’ #1 ranking!)
In 2000, the chapter sponsored a fastback, PUBLIC SCHOOL REFORM IN AMERICA, by William J. Reese. A professor of Educational Policy Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bill is a popular author of writings concerning 19th and 20th century education. He visited the chapter in March of 2002 and later wrote us a glowing thank-you for the courtesies shown him during his visit.
The success of this chapter has been made possible through a cadre of leaders without equal! Each president has guided his/her Executive Board through a year’s planning and implementation of meetings, programs, projects - meeting international mandates and reviews to ensure that this chapter maintains the highest quality and adherence to the ideals of Phi Delta Kappa International. Officers are elected in late spring of the current school year, installed at the spring initiation/awards banquet, and serve for one year.
The success and quality of the local chapter has been based on a genuine love of the education profession – professionalism – the passionate desire for our children to succeed – and a caring for fellow chapter members. In the past, the chapter has provided assistance to a chapter member in need of a critical medical procedure, a contribution in honor of a teacher/Kappan killed in the Columbine shootings, reached out to members whose families have been touched by personal hardships or tragedies, and other situations involving fellow Kappans. Shreveport-Bossier City Kappans have been among the first to come to the aid of a fellow Kappan who needed support – to provide a sense of comfort when needed – to celebrate the accomplishments of a fellow Kappan – to provide educational expertise or assistance or support when called upon – to provide leadership in the classroom and out of the classroom. Meetings have been informative as well as fun; the camaraderie among fellow Kappans – legendary!
This, then, is the history of the Shreveport-Bossier City Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa……a chapter with heart!
April 2006