RECAP OF THE 2017 TRIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
KANSAS CITY, MO - November 2-4, 2017
"Leadership, Scholarship, and Service"
Leadership Development Program Participants and other convention attendees pose with a bronze statue of President Harry Truman at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, MO.
Board President Larry Heck speaks during the Awards Banquet. |
Board President Larry Heck enjoying presenting the Distinguished Service Award to Charles Hartwig. Hartwig is the Chancellor of the South/Southwest Region and Chair of the Committee of Readers for student papers. |
Gordon Mercer, Clara Small, and Larry Heck. Small was inducted into the Pi Gamma Mu Hall of Fame, the Society's highest honor. |
Clara Small, Keynote Speaker, signs a copy of her new book for Elizabeth Ruiz. |
Yongsheng Wang and Larry Heck sharing a laugh during the decision-making simulation at the Truman Library's White House Decision Center. |
Nilda Pyronneau plays the role of President Harry Truman at the White House Decision Center. |
Jean Karlen served as Chair of the Convention Committee.
The 2017 Pi Gamma Mu Triennial International Convention was one of the most dynamic to date with a spectacular program including student paper presentations, a new Leadership Development Program including special workshops and a decision-making simulation at the Truman Presidential Library, a Chapter Development Showcase including poster presentations by some of Pi Gamma Mu's most active chapters, a keynote address, a welcome reception, an awards banquet, roundtable and panel discussions, student elections, and more! Our hotel, the Marriott Kansas City – Country Club Plaza put us in the heart of Kansas City's world famous Country Club Plaza, the Midwest's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Situated between two distinguished art museums, the Nelson Art Gallery and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Marriott was an ideal location to get together to celebrate Pi Gamma Mu's rich history and to make plans for the future.
Student paper presentations are always one of the highlights of Pi Gamma Mu conventions and this year was no different. This year's papers were excellent and included topics such as "Whiskey in Early America" by Grace A. Bellino of the Illinois Xi Chapter at Elmhurst College, "The Dual-Use Conundrum and UNSC Resolution 1540: Prospects and Challenges for Regional Governance and Cooperation in Southeast Asia" by Miriniza E. Cerrero of the Philippine Alpha Chapter at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and "Broken Windows Theory Research Paper: An Analytical Approach" by Sabrita Dian Thurman-Newby of the Florida Lambda Chapter at Saint Leo University. The authors of the top ten papers received one complimentary night in the convention hotel and were recognized during the Awards Banquet.
Students and Faculty celebrate Dr. Randy Bertolas (third from left) and his induction into the Pi Gamma Mu Hall of Fame, the Society's highest honor. Bertolas is a long-time Chapter Faculty Sponsor of the Nebraska Delta Chapter at Wayne State College and has served on the Pi Gamma Mu Board of Trustees. |
Convention attendees enjoy presentations during the Student Poster Session. |
The convention also offered dynamic workshops including topics such as "How to Get Published: Tips from a Journal Editor" which was led by Dr. Candice Quinn, Editor of the International Social Science Review. Other workshops covered topics such as things to consider when applying to graduate school, what motivates students to join an honor society, and student leadership.
Dr. Randy Bertolas
The convention also featured a Leadership Development Program for the first time in the Society's 93 year history. Program participants learned about leading in difficult situations, leading volunteers, and making decisions when faced with difficult circumstances. The program consisted of a series of lectures and workshops both prior to and at the convention. The program ended with a decision-making simulation at the Truman Library's White House Decision Center. Board Trustees Allison Knox and Janet Adamski developed and presented the program.
A highlight of the convention for many attendees was the Awards Ceremony and Keynote Address. Dr. Clara Small presented the address entitled, "Small's Little Bit of History". Small received a standing ovation following the inspirational speech. The Awards Ceremony was also a time to recognize top student paper presenters, Chapter Honor Rolls, and volunteers who have contributed so much to the Society over the years. The awards included the Joseph B. James Chapter Award which went to the Georgia Rho Chapter at Reinhardt University. M. Katrina Smith is the Chapter Faculty Sponsor. The North Carolina Alpha Beta Chapter at Chowan University received the Outstanding New Chapter Award. The Chapter Sponsors are Dr. Danny Moore and Dr. Lewis Nicholson. The Pi Gamma Mu Alumni Award went to Dr. Lee Cheek of East Georgia State College. The Distinguished Service Awards went to Dr. Charles Hartwig and Dr. Janet Adamski. Dr. Gordon Mercer received the Outstanding Achievement Award. There were two new inductees to the Pi Gamma Mu Hall of Fame: Dr. Clara Small and Dr. Randy Bertolas. The Hall of Fame is Pi Gamma Mu's highest honor for individuals.
Plans are already coming together for the 2020 convention and we to see you there! Keep your eye on the Pi Gamma Mu website for updates.
Convention Schedule
| Wednesday, November 1 |
| 4 pm – 5 pm |
Executive Committee Meeting |
| 5 pm – 6 pm |
Chancellors and President Meeting |
| 6 pm – 9 pm |
Board of Trustees Committee Meetings |
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| Thursday, November 2 |
| Time |
Event |
| 8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Board of Trustees Meeting |
| 11:00 am |
Registration Opens |
| 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm |
Leadership Development Program (registration required) |
| 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm |
Activities for attendees (walking tour/museums) |
| 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm |
Welcome Reception/Convention Opening/National Service Project*
(dessert provided, cash bar) |
| 9:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
Student Caucus Orientation – This session will inform students about the
election of Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees |
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| Friday, November 3 |
| Time |
Event |
| 7:30 am |
Breakfast pastries and coffee |
| 7:30 – 8:30 |
Students interested in possibly running for Student Representative positions on the Board of Trustees have a chance to ask questions of a current Student Representative and/or other Board Trustee(s) |
| 8:00 am – 9:30 am |
Student Paper Presentations – Sessions A1 and A2 (Sessions will have 4 papers each with time for Q &A.) |
| 9:45 am – 11:15 am |
Student Paper Presentations – Sessions B1 and B2 (Sessions will have 4 papers each with time for Q &A.) |
| 11:30 am – 12:45 pm |
Working Lunch/Workshops** (lunch provided) |
| 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
Student Research Posters – Session C1
Student Paper Presentations – Session C2 (This session will only have 3 papers.) |
| 2:15 pm – 3:45 pm |
Student Paper Presentations – Sessions D1 and D2 )
(These sessions will each have 4 papers with time for Q&A.) |
| 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Student Caucus – Campaign Speeches |
| 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm |
Awards Banquet and Keynote Address (dinner provided) |
| 8:00 pm |
Evening on your own. |
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Saturday, November 4 |
| Time |
Event |
| 7:30 am |
Breakfast pastries and coffee |
| 8:00 am – 9 am |
Constitution Review with Q & A (Jean Karlen and Janet Adamski) |
| 8 am – 9 am |
Roundtable Discussions ** (See attached sheet for details.) |
| 8:15 am – 10:15 am |
Voting for Student Representatives and Shadow President. Each student registered for the convention may vote. |
| 9:00 am – 10:00 am |
Chapter Development Showcase (See attached sheet for details.) |
| 10:15 am – 11:30 am |
Convention Closing Session/Triennial Business Meeting/Voting on Constitution Revisions |
| 11:30 am |
End of official convention activities |
| 11:30 am – 11:50 am |
Board of Trustees Meeting |
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Lunch |
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On-your-own (Truman Library Tour/Leadership Program Attendees will be provided lunch at the museum) |
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| Saturday Afternoon Activities |
| 12:00 pm – 5:45 pm |
Truman Library Tour and Decision-Making Simulation |
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Leadership Development Program Participants and others who register for this optional event will travel by bus to the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, MO. The afternoon will include a working lunch, a decision-making simulation in the Library's White House Decision Center, and a private tour. Visit our website for details. |
| 7:00 pm |
Dinner on your own. To join a group, meet in hotel lobby. |
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*National Service Project: Please bring new or used paperback books (fiction and non-fiction) and new toothbrushes for donation to a Kansas City area Veteran's Hospital.
**Roundtables and Workshops will include such topics as : Constitution updates, Tips for getting into graduate school, Getting published, Leadership, What it means to be a Student Representative on the Board of Trustees, Online chapters, Chapters with multiple sites, Staying engaged as an Alumni Member, Getting new and reactivated chapters off to a great start.
