SC President Awarded National Honor

Dr. Walter Tribley, President of Sheridan College, was selected as one of 20 recipients of the 2024 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). This national award recognizes college presidents showing outstanding behaviors and exceptional commitment to support students in pursuit of their future success through degree completion, transfer, and employment. In a letter from Phi Theta Kappa, it was noted that Dr. Tribley has shown proactive engagement in fostering high-achieving students and cultivating student leadership on campus.

Madison Clarke, a Sheridan College student and member of the Sheridan College Iota Theta Chapter of PTK said, “We are extremely thankful for Dr. Tribley’s unwavering support for PTK and believing in what we do.”

Earning this award showcases the dedication Dr. Tribley and the other award recipients have shown to their students. According to Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, those recognized with this award have made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom. This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support of them, and students like them.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we congratulate Dr. Tribley for his receipt of this award and thank him for his tireless efforts to enable learners, empower student success, and encourage community development,” said Sheridan College Board of Trustees Chair Deb Wendtland.

During Dr. Tribley’s tenure at Sheridan College, the Iota Theta chapter faced significant challenges due to the pandemic, yet continued to succeed, earning two-star chapter in 2021 and 2022. Proudly, the Iota Theta Chapter now holds a five-star chapter ranking as of 2023. “Our Chapter executive team meets with Dr. Tribley regularly and he always has an open arms and open heart and mind approach.  From cheering us on in our projects to supporting all of our activities, he is always present,” said Angel Sparkman, Sheridan College’s Agricultural Business Instructor and Advisor to the Iota Theta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is PTK’s most prestigious award for community college presidents and is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, PTK’s longest serving Board of Directors Chair.