President Dr. Tom LoBasso Recognized by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

LoBasso is the recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award for support of student success

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. (Feb. 17, 2020) – Daytona State College President Dr. Tom LoBasso has been selected by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) as the recipient of the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, presented to college presidents who have shown strong support of student success by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students. Dr. LoBasso is one of 13 presidents who will be formally recognized during PTK Catalyst 2020, the Society’s annual convention, April 2-4 in Dallas.

“I want to thank Daytona State PTK Advisor Lori Lemoine and her students for nominating me,” said LoBasso. “Receiving the Shirley B. Gordon Award is a tremendous honor, but it would not have been possible without the amazing support from the District Board of Trustees, faculty and staff. They work hard every day to ensure our students have the best opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond, and this award reflects that.”

The Dr. Shirley B. Gordon award is PTK’s most prestigious accolade for community college presidents and is named in honor of Phi Theta Kappa’s longest-serving Board of Directors Chair, and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once over the course of their career.

“Under Dr. LoBasso’s leadership, Daytona State College has made many notable advancements,” said Lemoine. “Among them, DSC was able to construct the new L. Gale Lemerand Student Center, featuring student offices for PTK officers, dedicated meeting space and the ability to host inductions on campus in the new Events Center. He has also worked with and supported the PTK officers in the creation of a first-year students’ mentoring program and college survival kits for first-year students.”

“To maintain contact and communication with our students, each year Dr. LoBasso meets with the Mu Rho officer team to help identify issues and concerns for the College Project and help them develop their Honors in Action Case Study. His dedication to student learning and engagement, and passion for supporting students has made a tremendous impact at Daytona State for the last 18 years and will continue to change lives for many years to come.”

Phi Theta Kappa recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, PTK has a presence on nearly 1,300 community college campuses in 11 countries. More than 3.5 million students have been inducted into the honor society since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges.

The 2020 Shirley B. Gordon Award recipients are:

Dr. Cristal Albrecht, Alvin Community College (Texas)

Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, Clark State Community College (Ohio)

Dr. Warren Brown, North Seattle College (Washington)

Dr. Mary Graham, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Dr. Donald Green, Georgia Highlands College

Dr. James Haffey, Holmes Community College (Mississippi)

Dr. Thomas LoBasso, Daytona State College (Florida)

Dr. Sean Madison, Tarrant County College (Texas)

Dr. Michael McDonough, Raritan Valley Community College (New Jersey)

Dr. James Dale (J.D.) Rottweiler, Cochise College (Arizona)

Dr. Walt Tobin, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College (South Carolina)

Ms. Jennie Vaughan, Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana)

Dr. Gregory Williams, Odessa College (Texas)

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